Antigen-specific T cell receptors and T cell epitopes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to efficient methods for providing antigen-specific lymphoid cells. These lymphoid cells may be used to provide antigen specific T cell receptors having a defined MHC restriction and to identify immunologically relevant T cell epitopes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to antigen-specific T cell receptors and T cell epitopes and their use in immunotherapy.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/823,079 filed Jun. 21, 2013, which is a 371 application ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2011/004674 filed Sep. 19, 2011,which claims the benefit of priority of European Application No.10009990.2 filed Sep. 20, 2010 and European Application No. 11000045.2filed Jan. 5, 2011, the specifications, claims, abstracts, and drawingsof each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entiretyinto the specification of the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the provision of T cell receptors and Tcell epitopes which are useful for immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The evolution of the immune system resulted in vertebrates in a highlyeffective network based on two types of defense: the innate and theadoptive immunity.

In contrast to the evolutionary ancient innate immune system that relieson invariant receptors recognizing common molecular patterns associatedwith pathogens, the adoptive immunity is based on highly specificantigen receptors on B cells (B lymphocytes) and T cells (T lymphocytes)and clonal selection.

While B cells raise humoral immune responses by secretion of antibodies,T cells mediate cellular immune responses leading to destruction ofrecognized cells.

T cells play a central role in cell-mediated immunity in humans andanimals. The recognition and binding of a particular antigen is mediatedby the T cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on the surface of T cells.

The T cell receptor (TCR) of a T cell is able to interact withimmunogenic peptides (epitopes) bound to major histocompatibilitycomplex (MHC) molecules and presented on the surface of target cells.Specific binding of the TCR triggers a signal cascade inside the T cellleading to proliferation and differentiation into a maturated effector Tcell. To be able to target a vast variety of antigens, the T cellreceptors need to have a great diversity.

This diversity is obtained by genetic rearrangement of differentdiscontinuous segments of genes which code for the different structuralregions of TCRs. TCRs are composed of one α-chain and one β-chain or ofone γ-chain and one δ-chain. The TCR α/β chains are composed of anN-terminal highly polymorphic variable region involved in antigenrecognition and an invariant constant region. On the genetic level,these chains are separated into several regions, a variable (V) region,a diversity (D) region (only β- and δ-chain), a joining (J) region and aconstant (C) region. The human β-chain genes contain over 60 variable(V), 2 diversity (D), over 10 joining (J) segments, and 2 constantregion segments (C). The human α-chain genes contain over 50 V segments,and over 60 J segments but no D segments, as well as one C segment. Themurine β-chain genes contain over 30 variable (V), 2 diversity (D), over10 joining (J) segments, and 2 constant region segments (C). The murineα-chain genes contain almost 100 V segments, 60 J segments, no Dsegments, but one C segment. During the differentiation of T cells,specific T cell receptor genes are created by rearranging one V, one D(only β- and δ-chain), one J and one C region gene. The diversity of theTCRs is further amplified by imprecise V-(D)-J rearrangement whereinrandom nucleotides are introduced and/or deleted at the recombinationsites. Since the rearrangement of the TCR gene loci occurs in the genomeduring maturation of T cells, each mature T cell only expresses onespecific α/β TCR or γ/δ TCR.

MHC and antigen binding is mediated by the complementary determiningregions 1, 2 and 3 (CDR1, CDR2, CDR3) of the TCR. The CDR3 of theβ-chain which is most critical for antigen recognition and binding isencoded by the V-D-J junction of the rearranged TCR β-chain gene.

The TCR is a part of a complex signaling machinery, which includes theheterodimeric complex of the TCR α- and β-chains, the co-receptor CD4 orCD8 and the CD3 signal transduction module (FIG. 1). While the CD3chains transfer the activation signal inside the cell, the TCR α/βheterodimer is solely responsible for antigen recognition. Thus, thetransfer of the TCR α/β chains offers the opportunity to redirect Tcells towards any antigen of interest.

Immunotherapy

Antigen-specific immunotherapy aims to enhance or induce specific immuneresponses in patients to control infectious or malignant diseases. Theidentification of a growing number of pathogen- and tumor-associatedantigens (TAA) led to a broad collection of suitable targets forimmunotherapy. Cells presenting immunogenic peptides (epitopes) derivedfrom these antigens can be specifically targeted by either active orpassive immunization strategies.

Active immunization tends to induce and expand antigen-specific T cellsin the patient, which are able to specifically recognize and killdiseased cells. In contrast passive immunization relies on the adoptivetransfer of T cells, which were expanded and optional geneticallyengineered in vitro (adoptive T cell therapy).

Vaccination

Tumor vaccines aim to induce endogenous tumor-specific immune responsesby active immunization. Different antigen formats can be used for tumorvaccination including whole cancer cells, proteins, peptides orimmunizing vectors such as RNA, DNA or viral vectors that can be appliedeither directly in vivo or in vitro by pulsing of DCs following transferinto the patient.

The number of clinical studies where therapy-induced immune responsescan be identified is steadily increasing due to improvements ofimmunization strategies and methods for detection of antigen-specificimmune responses (Connerotte, T. et al. (2008). Cancer Res. 68,3931-3940; Schmitt, M. et al. (2008) Blood 111, 1357-1365; Speiser, D.E. et al. (2008) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 105, 3849-3854; Adams, S.et al. (2008) J. Immunol. 181, 776-784).

However, in most cases detected immune responses cannot systemically becorrelated with clinical outcomes (Curigliano, G. et al. (2006) Ann.Oncol. 17, 750-762; Rosenberg, S. A. et al. (2004) Nat. Med. 10,909-915).

The exact definition of peptide epitopes derived from tumor antigens maytherefore contribute to improve specificity and efficiency ofvaccination strategies as well as methods for immunomonitoring.

Adoptive Cell Transfer (ACT)

ACT based immunotherapy can be broadly defined as a form of passiveimmunization with previously sensitized T cells that are transferred tonon-immune recipients or to the autologous host after ex vivo expansionfrom low precursor frequencies to clinically relevant cell numbers. Celltypes that have been used for ACT experiments are lymphokine-activatedkiller (LAK) cells (Mule, J. J. et al. (1984) Science 225, 1487-1489;Rosenberg, S. A. et al. (1985) N. Engl. J. Med. 313, 1485-1492),tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (Rosenberg, S. A. et al. (1994) J.Natl. Cancer Inst. 86, 1159-1166), donor lymphocytes after hematopoieticstem cell transplantation (HSCT) as well as tumor-specific T cell linesor clones (Dudley, M. E. et al. (2001) J. Immunother. 24, 363-373; Yee,C. et al. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 99, 16168-16173).

Adoptive T cell transfer was shown to have therapeutic activity againsthuman viral infections such as CMV. While CMV infection and reactivationof endogenous latent viruses is controlled by the immune system inhealthy individuals, it results in significant morbidity and mortalityin immune compromised individuals such as transplant recipients or AIDSpatients. Riddell and co-workers demonstrated the reconstitution ofviral immunity by adoptive T cell therapy in immune suppressed patientsafter transfer of CD8+ CMV-specific T cell clones derived fromHLA-matched CMV-seropositive transplant donors (Riddell, S. R. (1992)Science 257, 238-241).

As an alternative approach polyclonal donor-derived CMV- or EBV-specificT cell populations were transferred to transplant recipients resultingin increased persistence of transferred T cells (Rooney, C. M. et al.(1998) Blood 92, 1549-1555; Peggs, K. S. et al. (2003) Lancet 362,1375-1377).

For adoptive immunotherapy of melanoma Rosenberg and co-workersestablished an ACT approach relying on the infusion of in vitro expandedautologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from excisedtumors in combination with a non-myeloablative lymphodepletingchemotherapy and high-dose IL2. A recently published clinical studyresulted in an objective response rate of ˜50% of treated patientssuffering from metastatic melanoma (Dudley, M. E. et al. (2005) J. Clin.Oncol. 23: 2346-2357).

However, patients must fulfill several premises to be eligible for ACTimmunotherapy. They must have resectable tumors. The tumors mustgenerate viable TILs under cell culture conditions. The TILs must bereactive against tumor antigens, and must expand in vitro to sufficientnumbers. Especially in other cancers than melanoma, it is difficult toobtain such tumor-reactive TILs. Furthermore, repeated in vitrostimulation and clonal expansion of normal human T lymphocytes resultsin progressive decrease in telomerase activity and shortening oftelomeres resulting in replicative senescence and decreased potentialfor persistence of transferred T cells (Shen, X. et al. (2007) J.Immunother. 30: 123-129).

An approach overcoming the limitations of ACT is the adoptive transferof autologous T cells reprogrammed to express a tumor-reactive TCR ofdefined specificity during short-time ex vivo culture followed byreinfusion into the patient. This strategy makes ACT applicable to avariety of common malignancies even if tumor-reactive T cells are absentin the patient. Since the antigenic specificity of T cells is restedentirely on the heterodimeric complex of the TCR α- and β-chain, thetransfer of cloned TCR genes into T cells offers the potential toredirect them towards any antigen of interest. Therefore, TCR genetherapy provides an attractive strategy to develop antigen-specificimmunotherapy with autologous lymphocytes as treatment option. Majoradvantages of TCR gene transfer are the creation of therapeuticquantities of antigen-specific T cells within a few days and thepossibility to introduce specificities that are not present in theendogenous TCR repertoire of the patient.

Several groups demonstrated, that TCR gene transfer is an attractivestrategy to redirect antigen-specificity of primary T cells (Morgan, R.A. et al. (2003) J. Immunol. 171, 3287-3295; Cooper, L. J. et al. (2000)J. Virol. 74, 8207-8212; Fujio, K. et al. (2000) J. Immunol. 165,528-532; Kessels, H. W. et al. (2001) Nat. Immunol. 2, 957-961; Dembic,Z. et al. (1986) Nature 320, 232-238).

Feasibility of TCR gene therapy in humans was recently demonstrated inclinical trials for the treatment of malignant melanoma by Rosenberg andhis group. The adoptive transfer of autologous lymphocytes retrovirallytransduced with melanoma/melanocyte antigen-specific TCRs resulted incancer regression in up to 30% of treated melanoma patients (Morgan, R.A. et al. (2006) Science 314, 126-129; Johnson, L. A. et al. (2009)Blood 114, 535-546).

Target Structures for Antigen-Specific Immunotherapy

The discovery of multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) has providedthe basis for antigen-specific immunotherapy concepts (Novellino, L. etal. (2005) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 54, 187-207). TAAs are unusualproteins expressed on tumor cells due to their genetic instability,which have no or limited expression in normal cells. These TAAs can leadto specific recognition of malignant cells by the immune system.

Molecular cloning of TAAs by screening of tumor-derived cDNA expressionlibraries using autologous tumor-specific T cells (van der Bruggen, P.et al. (1991) Science 254, 1643-1647) or circulating antibodies (Sahin,U. et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 92, 11810-11813), reverseimmunology approaches, biochemical methods (Hunt, D. F. et al. (1992)Science 256, 1817-1820), gene expression analyses or in silico cloningstrategies (Helftenbein, G. et al. (2008) Gene 414, 76-84) led to asignificant number of target candidates for immunotherapeuticstrategies. TAAs fall in several categories, including differentiationantigens, overexpressed antigens, tumor-specific splice variants,mutated gene products, viral antigens and the so-called cancer testisantigens (CTAs). The cancer testis family is a very promising categoryof TAAs as their expression is restricted to the testis and a multitudeof different tumor entities (Scanlan, M. J. et al. (2002) Immunol. Rev.188, 22-32). Until now more than 50 CT genes have been described(Scanlan, M. J. et al. (2004) Cancer Immun. 4, 1) and some of them havebeen addressed in clinical studies (Adams, S. et al. (2008) J. Immunol.181, 776-784; Atanackovic, D. et al. (2004) J. Immunol. 172, 3289-3296;Chen, Q. et al. (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 101, 9363-9368;Connerotte, T. et al. (2008). Cancer Res. 68, 3931-3940; Davis, I. D. etal. (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 101, 10697-10702; Jager, E.(2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 97, 12198-12203; Marchand, M. et al.(1999) Int. J. Cancer 80, 219-230; Schuler-Thurner, B. et al. (2000) J.Immunol. 165, 3492-3496).

In spite of the growing number of attractive target structures forimmunotherapeutic approaches specific T cell clones or lines of definedHLA restriction do only exist for a few of them (Chaux, P. et al. (1999)J. Immunol. 163, 2928-2936; Zhang, Y. et al. (2002) Tissue Antigens 60,365-371; Zhao, Y. et al. (2005) J. Immunol. 174, 4415-4423). For themajority of CTAs, including TPTE, even evidence for specific T cellresponses is missing.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Summary of the Invention

Immunotherapeutic strategies are promising options for the treatment ofinfectious diseases and cancer. The identification of a growing numberof pathogen- and tumor-associated antigens led to a broad collection ofsuitable targets for immunotherapy.

By adoptive transfer of T cells engineered to express a definedantigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) these antigens can bespecifically targeted thereby leading to selective destruction oftargeted malignant or infected cells. As TCR specificity is restrictedby highly polymorphic MHC molecules, broad applicability of adoptive TCRtransfer is dependent on the generation of a multitude of TCR reagentsfor “off the shelf” use, covering a broad range of antigens and MHCrestrictions. However, until now only a limited number of suitable TCRcandidates have been identified. This is mainly due to the laboriousestablishment of T cell clones for TCR gene isolation.

The present invention relates to efficient methods for providingantigen-specific lymphoid cells. These lymphoid cells may be used toprovide antigen-specific T cell receptors having a defined MHCrestriction and to identify immunologically relevant T cell epitopes.

In one aspect the present invention relates to a method for providingantigen-specific lymphoid cells comprising the steps:

(a) providing a single antigen-reactive T cell from a sample comprisingT cells, wherein said sample is obtained from a subject previouslyexposed to said antigen;

(b) providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having thespecificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell; and

(c) introducing said nucleic acid into a lymphoid cell to provide saidantigen-specific lymphoid cells.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determiningthe epitope specificity of said antigen-specific lymphoid cells and/orthe step of determining the MHC restriction of said antigen-specificlymphoid cells.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method forproviding an antigen-specific T cell receptor having a defined MHCrestriction comprising the steps:

(a) providing a single antigen-reactive T cell from a sample comprisingT cells, wherein said sample is obtained from a subject previouslyexposed to said antigen;

(b) providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having thespecificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell;

(c) introducing said nucleic acid into a lymphoid cell to provideantigen-specific lymphoid cells; and

(d) determining the MHC restriction of said antigen-specific lymphoidcells.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determiningthe epitope specificity of said antigen-specific lymphoid cells.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method foridentifying a T cell epitope in an antigen comprising the steps:

(a) providing a single antigen-reactive T cell from a sample comprisingT cells, wherein said sample is obtained from a subject previouslyexposed to said antigen;

(b) providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having thespecificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell;

(c) introducing said nucleic acid into a lymphoid cell to provideantigen-specific lymphoid cells; and

(d) determining the epitope specificity of said antigen-specificlymphoid cells.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determiningthe MHC restriction of said antigen-specific lymphoid cells.

In a preferred embodiment, said single antigen-reactive T cell and saidnucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having the specificity of the Tcell receptor of said single antigen-reactive T cell are reactive withan antigen administered to a subject. In a preferred embodiment, saidsingle antigen-reactive T cell is provided by isolation.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said epitope is an MHC presented peptide. In one embodiment of themethod according to all of the above aspects, said step of determiningthe epitope specificity of said antigen-specific lymphoid cellscomprises determining the reactivity of said antigen-specific lymphoidcells to MHC molecules exposed to, preferably pulsed, i.e. loaded with,a peptide derived from the antigen. Preferably, said MHC molecules areMHC molecules expressed in the subject. Preferably, said MHC moleculesare present on target cells. Said peptide may be part of a peptidelibrary derived from the antigen and the peptide library may comprise aset of overlapping peptides derived from said antigen. Preferably, theset of overlapping peptides covers the entire sequence of said antigen.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said step of determining the MHC restriction of said antigen-specificlymphoid cells comprises determining the reactivity of saidantigen-specific lymphoid cells to selected MHC molecules. Preferably,said selected MHC molecules are present on target cells. Preferably,said selected MHC molecules are MHC molecules expressed in the subject.Preferably, said selected MHC molecules are present on target cellsexpressing the antigen or a portion thereof. Preferably, saidantigen-specific lymphoid cells or T cell receptor thereof arerestricted to MHC molecules expressed in the subject.

Preferably, determining the reactivity of antigen-specific lymphoidcells comprises determining cytokine secretion by the lymphoid cells,wherein said cytokine may be interferon-γ (IFNγ). Other activationmarkers that can be used are e.g. CD154 and/or CD137.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to allof the above aspects, said nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptorhaving the specificity of the T cell receptor of said singleantigen-reactive T cell is RNA, preferably in vitro transcribed RNA.Preferably, said lymphoid cell lacks surface expression of an endogenousTCR or is specific for an unrelated antigen. In one embodiment, saidlymphoid cell is a lymphocyte, preferably a T cell.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said step of providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor havingthe specificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell comprises providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptorcomprising at least the CDR sequences, preferably at least the variableregion of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive T cell.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said step of providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor havingthe specificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell comprises isolating RNA, preferably poly-A+-RNA, from said singleantigen-reactive T cell or a clonal population thereof and preferablyfurther comprises obtaining cDNA from said RNA. In one embodiment, saidstep of providing a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having thespecificity of the T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive Tcell further comprises amplifying at least a portion of the cDNAcomprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least the CDR sequences,preferably at least the variable region of the T cell receptor of saidsingle antigen-reactive T cell.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said subject is seropositive for said antigen or an agent comprisingsaid antigen. Seropositivity of the subject may be determined bydetermining an immune response to the antigen or agent or a componentthereof.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said T cells prior to providing a single antigen-reactive T cell aresubjected to an antigen-specific expansion and rechallenge, wherein theantigen-specific expansion and rechallenge may be effected by exposingthe T cells to preferably autologous antigen presenting cells presentingan antigen. In one embodiment of the method according to all of theabove aspects, said single antigen-reactive T cell is positive for anactivation marker such as IFNγ or CD137 and CD8 or CD4.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said single antigen-reactive T cell is isolated from the samplecomprising T cells using flow cytometry. Sorting is preferably effectedon the basis of positivity for an activation marker, in particular IFNγor CD137, and CD8 or CD4.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said T cell receptor comprises T cell receptor α- and β-chains.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor having the specificity ofthe T cell receptor of said single antigen-reactive T cell comprises anucleic acid sequence encoding at least the CDR sequences, preferably atleast the variable region of the T cell receptor of said singleantigen-reactive T cell.

In one embodiment of the method according to all of the above aspects,said subject is a mammal, preferably a human being. Preferably, saidsubject has a disease involving cells expressing the antigen, preferablya T cell related disease. Said disease may be selected from the groupconsisting of immune system disorders, infections, and malignantdiseases.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to T cell receptors specificfor the viral antigen CMV-pp65 or the tumor-associated antigen NY-ESO-1,TPTE or PLAC1, in particular when presented on the surface of a cellsuch as a diseased cell or an antigen-presenting cell, as well aspeptides comprising epitopes recognized by these T cell receptors.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a peptide comprising an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108 to139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 or a variant of said amino acidsequence.

In one embodiment, the peptide is a MHC class I or class II presentedpeptide, preferably a MHC class I presented peptide, or, if presentwithin cells, can be processed to produce a procession product thereofwhich is a MHC class I or class II presented peptide, preferably a MHCclass I presented peptide. Preferably, said MHC class I or class IIpresented peptide has a sequence substantially corresponding to thegiven amino acid sequence, i.e. an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187and 196 or a variant of said amino acid sequence. Preferably, a peptideaccording to the invention is capable of stimulating a cellular responseagainst a disease involving cells characterized by presentation of anantigen from which the peptide is derived, i.e. CMV-pp65, NY-ESO-1, TPTEor PLAC1 with class I MHC.

In further aspects, the invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding thepeptide of the invention and a cell comprising the nucleic acid. Suchnucleic acid may be present in a plasmid or an expression vector and maybe functionally linked to a promoter. Preferably, the cell expresses thepeptide. The cell may be a recombinant cell and may secrete the encodedpeptide or a procession product thereof, may express it on the surfaceand preferably may additionally express an MHC molecule which binds tosaid peptide or a procession product thereof and preferably presentssaid peptide or a procession product thereof on the cell surface. In oneembodiment, the cell expresses the MHC molecule endogenously. In afurther embodiment, the cell expresses the MHC molecule and/or thepeptide in a recombinant manner. The cell is preferablynonproliferative. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is anantigen-presenting cell, in particular a dendritic cell, a monocyte or amacrophage.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a cell that presents thepeptide of the invention or a procession product thereof, wherein theprocession product preferably is a peptide having the given amino acidsequence, i.e. an amino acid sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 or avariant of said amino acid sequence. The cell may present the peptide ora procession product thereof by MHC molecules on its surface. In oneembodiment, the cell endogenously expresses an MHC molecule. In afurther embodiment, the cell recombinantly expresses an MHC molecule. Inone embodiment, the MHC molecules of the cell are loaded (pulsed) withthe peptide by addition of the peptide to the cell. The cell mayrecombinantly express the peptide and present said peptide or aprocession product thereof on the cell surface. The cell is preferablynonproliferative. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is anantigen-presenting cell such as a dendritic cell, a monocyte or amacrophage.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an immunoreactive cellreactive with a peptide of the invention, in particular when presentedon the surface of a cell. The immunoreactive cell may be a cell that hasbeen sensitized in vitro to recognize the peptide. The immunoreactivecell may be a T cell, preferably a cytotoxic T cell. Preferably, theimmunoreactive cell binds to a sequence in the peptide substantiallycorresponding to the given amino acid sequence, i.e. an amino acidsequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139,172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 or a variant of said amino acidsequence.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptor reactivewith a peptide of the invention, or a polypeptide chain thereof.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptor α-chaincomprising at least one, preferably two, more preferably all three ofthe CDR sequences of a T cell receptor α-chain selected from SEQ ID NOs:4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76,78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 140,142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168,170, 176, 188, 190, 192, and 194 or a variant thereof, or a T cellreceptor comprising said T cell receptor α-chain. The CDR sequences areshown underlined in the sequences of the above mentioned T cell receptorα-chains given herein.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptor α-chaincomprising a T cell receptor α-chain sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76,78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 140,142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168,170, 176, 188, 190, 192, and 194 or a variant thereof, or a T cellreceptor comprising said T cell receptor α-chain.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptor β-chaincomprising at least one, preferably two, more preferably all three ofthe CDR sequences of a T cell receptor β-chain selected from SEQ ID NOs:5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41,43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77,79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 141,143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169,171, 177, 189, 191, 193, and 195 or a variant thereof, or a T cellreceptor comprising said T cell receptor β-chain. The CDR sequences areshown underlined in the sequences of the above mentioned T cell receptorβ-chains given herein.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptor β-chaincomprising a T cell receptor β-chain sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41,43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77,79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 141,143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169,171, 177, 189, 191, 193, and 195 or a variant thereof, or a T cellreceptor comprising said T cell receptor β-chain.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptorcomprising:

(i) a T cell receptor α-chain comprising at least one, preferably two,more preferably all three of the CDR sequences of the T cell receptorα-chain of SEQ ID NO: x or a variant thereof, and

(ii) a T cell receptor β-chain comprising at least one, preferably two,more preferably all three of the CDR sequences of a T cell receptorβ-chain of SEQ ID NO: x+1 or a variant thereof; wherein x selected from4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76,78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 140,142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168,170, 176, 188, 190, 192, and 194.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a T cell receptorcomprising:

(i) a T cell receptor α-chain comprising the T cell receptor α-chainsequence of SEQ ID NO: x or a variant thereof, and

(ii) a T cell receptor β-chain comprising the T cell receptor β-chainsequence of SEQ ID NO: x+1 or a variant thereof;

wherein x selected from 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64,66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100,102, 104, 106, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160,162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 176, 188, 190, 192, and 194.

The above T cell receptors are preferably specific for the viral antigenCMV-pp65 or the tumor-associated antigen NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1, inparticular when presented on the surface of a cell such as a diseasedcell or an antigen-presenting cell.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a nucleic acid encodingthe T cell receptor chain or T cell receptor according to any one of theabove aspects.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a cell comprising the Tcell receptor chain or T cell receptor according to any one of the aboveaspects or the nucleic acid nucleic acid encoding the T cell receptorchain or T cell receptor according to any one of the above aspects. Thecell may be an effector or stem cell, preferably an immunoreactive cell.The immunoreactive cell may be a T cell, preferably a cytotoxic T cell.Preferably, the immunoreactive cell is reactive with the viral antigenCMV-pp65 or the tumor-associated antigen NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1, inparticular when presented on the surface of a cell such as a diseasedcell or an antigen-presenting cell, and specifically with a peptide ofthe invention and preferably binds to a sequence in the peptidesubstantially corresponding to the given amino acid sequence, i.e. anamino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:108 to 139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 or a variant of said aminoacid sequence.

Furthermore, the present invention generally embraces the treatment ofdiseases by targeting diseased cells. The methods provide for theselective eradication of cells that present an antigen, i.e. the viralantigen CMV-pp65 or the tumor antigen NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1, therebyminimizing adverse effects to normal cells not presenting said antigen.Thus, preferred diseases for a therapy are those in which one of theantigens described herein are expressed and presented such as viralinfectious diseases or malignant diseases, in particular viral diseasesand cancer diseases such as those described herein.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising one or more of:

(i) the peptide described above;

(ii) the nucleic acid encoding a peptide or the nucleic acid encoding aT cell receptor chain or T cell receptor described above;

(iii) the cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a peptide describedabove, the cell presenting a peptide or a procession product describedabove, or the cell comprising a T cell receptor chain or T cell receptoror a nucleic acid described above;

(iv) the T cell receptor described above; or

(v) the immunoreactive cell described above.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier and may optionally comprise one ormore adjuvants, stabilizers etc. The pharmaceutical composition may inthe form of a therapeutic or prophylactic vaccine. In one embodiment,the pharmaceutical composition is for use in treating or preventing aviral disease such as hCMV infection or a malignant disease such asthose described herein.

Administration of a pharmaceutical composition as described above mayprovide MHC class II-presented epitopes that are capable of eliciting aCD4+ helper T cell response and/or a CD8+ T cell response againstantigens described herein. Alternatively or additionally, administrationof a pharmaceutical composition as described above may provide MHC classI-presented epitopes that are capable of eliciting a CD8+ T cellresponse against tumor antigens described herein.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is hCMV-pp65 and thepharmaceutical composition of the present invention is useful in thetreatment and/or prevention of hCMV infection.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1 andthe pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is useful in thetreatment and/or prevention of a malignant disease.

Another aspect relates to a method for inducing an immune response in asubject, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceuticalcomposition of the invention.

Another aspect relates to a method for stimulating, priming and/orexpanding T cells, comprising contacting T cells with one or more of:

(i) the peptide described above;

(ii) the nucleic acid encoding a peptide described above; and

(iii) the cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a peptide describedabove or the cell presenting a peptide or a procession product describedabove.

In this aspect, the invention may relate to a method for preparingantigen-specific T cells. The T cells may be stimulated, primed and/orexpanded in vitro or in vivo. Preferably, the T cells are present in asample obtained from a subject. The stimulated, primed and/or expanded Tcells may be administered to a subject and may be autologous,allogeneic, syngeneic to the subject.

The invention in the above aspects of a method for inducing an immuneresponse in a subject or of a method for stimulating, priming and/orexpanding T cells may relate to a method for treating hCMV infections ormalignant diseases in a subject.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is hCMV-pp65 and the treatmentis a therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of hCMV infection.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1 andthe treatment is a therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a malignantdisease. In case of the treatment of a malignant disease, the agents andcompositions described herein are preferably administered in a way suchthat the therapeutically active substance is not delivered or notsubstantially delivered to a tissue or organ wherein the cells when thetissue or organ is free of a malignant disease express atumor-associated antigen described herein, in particular testiculartissue. To this end, the agents and compositions described herein can beadministered locally.

The compositions and agents described herein are preferably capable ofinducing or promoting a cellular response, preferably cytotoxic T cellactivity, against a disease characterized by presentation of a antigendescribed herein with class I MHC, e.g. a viral disease or a malignantdisease.

In one aspect, the invention provides the agents and compositionsdescribed herein for use in the methods of treatment described herein.

The treatments of malignant diseases described herein can be combinedwith surgical resection and/or radiation and/or traditionalchemotherapy.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for determining animmune response in a subject, comprising determining T cells reactivewith a peptide described above or a cell presenting a peptide or aprocession product described above in a biological sample isolated fromthe subject. The method may comprise the steps of:

(a) incubating a sample comprising T cells isolated from a subject withone or more of:

(i) the peptide described above;

(ii) the nucleic acid encoding a peptide as described above; and

(iii) the cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a peptide describedabove or the cell presenting a peptide or a procession product describedabove;

and

(b) detecting the specific activation of the T cells, therefromdetermining the presence or absence of an immune response in saidsubject.

The invention in the above aspects of a method for determining an immuneresponse in a subject may relate to a method for diagnosing hCMVinfections or malignant diseases in a subject.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is hCMV-pp65 and diagnosis is adiagnosis of hCMV infection.

In one embodiment, the antigen concerned is NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1 anddiagnosis is a diagnosis of a malignant disease.

In one embodiment of the methods for diagnosis, the biological sample isfrom a tissue or organ wherein the cells when the tissue or organ isdisease free do not substantially express the antigen concerned.

Typically, the level of T cells in a biological sample is compared to areference level, wherein a deviation from said reference level isindicative of the presence and/or stage of a disease in a subject. Thereference level may be a level as determined in a control sample (e.g.,from a healthy tissue or subject) or a median level from healthysubjects. A “deviation” from said reference level designates anysignificant change, such as an increase by at least 10%, 20%, or 30%,preferably by at least 40% or 50%, or even more. Preferably, thepresence of the T cells in said biological sample or a quantity of the Tcells in the biological sample which is increased compared to areference level indicates the presence of a disease.

T cells may be isolated from patient peripheral blood, lymph nodes,tissue samples such as derived from biopsy and resection, or othersource. Reactivity assays may be performed on primary T cells or otherappropriate derivatives. For example, T cells may be fused to generatehybridomas. Assays for measuring T cell responsiveness are known in theart, and include proliferation assays and cytokine release assays.

Assays and indices for detecting reactive T cells include but are notlimited to the use of IFNγ ELISPOT and IFNγ intracellular cytokinestaining. Other various methods are known in the art for determiningwhether a T cell clone will respond to a particular peptide. Typicallythe peptide is added to a suspension of the T cells for a period of fromone to three days. The response of the T cells may be measured byproliferation, e.g., uptake of labeled thymidine, or by release ofcytokines, e.g., IL-2. Various assays are available for detecting thepresence of released cytokines. T cell cytotoxic assays can be used todetect cytotoxic T cells having specificity for antigens. In oneembodiment, cytotoxic T cells are tested for their ability to killtarget cells presenting an antigen with MHC class I molecules. Targetcells presenting an antigen may be labeled and added to a suspension ofT cells from a patient sample. The cytotoxicity may be measured byquantifying the release of label from lysed cells. Controls forspontaneous and total release may be included in the assay.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a non-radioactive assay tomonitor and quantify target cell killing activity, e.g. mediated bycytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). This assay may provide a measure ofcytotoxic effector cell activity and may reliably detectantigen-specific CTL killing of target cells. The assay provides a saferalternative to the standard ⁵¹Cr-release assay most often used toquantify CTL responses. The assay can be used to study CTL-mediatedkilling of primary host target cells of different cell lineages, andprovides a valuable tool for the development of new vaccines andimmunotherapies.

The invention relates to a method for determining cytotoxic activitycomprising the steps of:

(i) providing a sample comprising target cells producing a reporterenzyme;

(ii) subjecting the target cells to an agent the cytotoxic activity ofwhich is to be determined; and

(iii) subjecting the sample to a detection assay to establish the levelof reporter enzyme contained in viable cells in the sample.

Preferably, the cytotoxic activity is cell-mediated cytotoxic activityand the agent the cytotoxic activity of which is to be determined is acytotoxic effector cell such as a cell selected from the groupconsisting of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), a natural killer (NK)cell, and a macrophage, preferably a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). Inone embodiment, the reporter enzyme is ATP dependent. In one embodiment,the reporter enzyme is a light emitting enzyme such as aluminescence-generating enzyme. Preferably, the reporter enzyme isluciferase. In one embodiment, RNA encoding said reported enzyme hasbeen introduced into said target cells. The method may further comprisethe step of adding an ATP degrading enzyme such as ATPase to the sampleto substantially degrade any extracellular ATP in the sample. The methodmay further comprise the step of adding a substrate which is at leastpartially viable cell permeable. The substrate may be a luminogenicmolecule and may be a luciferin derivative. In this embodiment, themethod may comprise detecting luminescence in the sample, therebydetecting the number or presence of viable cells in the sample.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention is described in detail below, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the particularmethodologies, protocols and reagents described herein as these mayvary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention which will belimited only by the appended claims. Unless defined otherwise, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In the following, the elements of the present invention will bedescribed. These elements are listed with specific embodiments, however,it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and inany number to create additional embodiments. The variously describedexamples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit thepresent invention to only the explicitly described embodiments. Thisdescription should be understood to support and encompass embodimentswhich combine the explicitly described embodiments with any number ofthe disclosed and/or preferred elements. Furthermore, any permutationsand combinations of all described elements in this application should beconsidered disclosed by the description of the present applicationunless the context indicates otherwise.

Preferably, the terms used herein are defined as described in “Amultilingual glossary of biotechnological terms: (IUPACRecommendations)”, H. G. W. Leuenberger, B. Nagel, and H. Kölbl, Eds.,(1995) Helvetica Chimica Acta, CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland.

The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwiseindicated, conventional methods of biochemistry, cell biology,immunology, and recombinant DNA techniques which are explained in theliterature in the field (cf., e.g., Molecular Cloning: A LaboratoryManual, 2^(nd) Edition, J. Sambrook et al. eds., Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor 1989).

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated member, integer or step or group of members, integers orsteps but not the exclusion of any other member, integer or step orgroup of members, integers or steps although in some embodiments suchother member, integer or step or group of members, integers or steps maybe excluded, i.e. the subject-matter consists in the inclusion of astated member, integer or step or group of members, integers or steps.The terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar reference used in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of theclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

A reference to SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139 is to be understood so as to referindividually to each of SEQ ID NOs: 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114,115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128,129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 and 139.

Similarly, a reference to SEQ ID NOs: 178 to 187 is to be understood soas to refer individually to each of SEQ ID NOs: 178, 179, 180, 181, 182,183, 184, 185, 186 and 187.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”), provided herein is intended merely to better illustrate theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of theinvention.

Several documents are cited throughout the text of this specification.Each of the documents cited herein (including all patents, patentapplications, scientific publications, manufacturer's specifications,instructions, etc.), whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as anadmission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosureby virtue of prior invention.

The term “recombinant” in the context of the present invention means“made through genetic engineering”. Preferably, a “recombinant object”such as a recombinant cell in the context of the present invention isnot occurring naturally.

The term “naturally occurring” as used herein refers to the fact that anobject can be found in nature. For example, a peptide or nucleic acidthat is present in an organism (including viruses) and can be isolatedfrom a source in nature and which has not been intentionally modified byman in the laboratory is naturally occurring.

The term “immune response” refers to an integrated bodily response to anantigen and preferably refers to a cellular immune response or acellular as well as a humoral immune response. The immune response maybe protective/preventive/prophylactic and/or therapeutic.

“Inducing an immune response” may mean that there was no immune responseagainst a particular antigen before induction, but it may also mean thatthere was a certain level of immune response against a particularantigen before induction and after induction said immune response isenhanced. Thus, “inducing an immune response” also includes “enhancingan immune response”. Preferably, after inducing an immune response in asubject, said subject is protected from developing a disease such as aninfectious disease, in particular a viral disease as disclosed herein,or a malignant disease or the disease condition is ameliorated byinducing an immune response. For example, an immune response against aviral antigen such as hCMV-pp65 may be induced in a patient having aviral disease or in a subject being at risk of developing a viraldisease. For example, an immune response against a tumor-associatedantigen such as NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1 may be induced in a patienthaving a malignant disease or in a subject being at risk of developing amalignant disease. Inducing an immune response in this case may meanthat the disease condition of the subject is ameliorated, that thesubject does not develop metastases, or that the subject being at riskof developing a malignant disease does not develop a malignant disease.

A “cellular immune response”, a “cellular response”, a “cellularresponse against an antigen” or a similar term is meant to include acellular response directed to cells characterized by presentation of anantigen with class I or class II MHC. The cellular response relates tocells called T cells or T-lymphocytes which act as either ‘helpers’ or‘killers’. The helper T cells (also termed CD4⁺ T cells) play a centralrole by regulating the immune response and the killer cells (also termedcytotoxic T cells, cytolytic T cells, CD8⁺ T cells or CTLs) killdiseased cells such as infected cells or malignant cells, preventing theproduction of more diseased cells.

The term “antigen” relates to an agent comprising an epitope againstwhich an immune response is to be generated. Preferably, an antigen inthe context of the present invention is a molecule which, optionallyafter processing, induces an immune reaction, which is preferablyspecific for the antigen. The term “antigen” includes in particularproteins, peptides, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, especially RNA andDNA, and nucleotides.

An antigen is preferably a product which corresponds to or is derivedfrom a naturally occurring antigen. Such naturally occurring antigensmay include or may be derived from allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi,parasites and other infectious agents and pathogens or an antigen mayalso be a tumor-associated antigen. According to the present invention,an antigen may correspond to a naturally occurring product, for example,a viral protein, or a part thereof.

The term “agent comprising an antigen” relates to an entity comprisingan antigen such as a virus comprising a viral antigen. One example ishCMV comprising hCMV-pp65.

In a preferred embodiment, an antigen is a tumor-associated antigen,i.e., a constituent of malignant cells which may be derived from thecytoplasm, the cell surface and the cell nucleus, in particular thoseantigens which are produced, preferably in large quantity, intracellularor as surface antigens on malignant cells.

In particular, the antigen or peptides thereof should be recognizable bya T cell receptor. Preferably, the antigen or peptide if recognized by aT cell receptor is able to induce in the presence of appropriateco-stimulatory signals, clonal expansion of the T cell carrying the Tcell receptor specifically recognizing the antigen or peptide. In thecontext of the embodiments of the present invention, the antigen ispreferably presented by a cell, preferably by an antigen presenting celland/or a diseased cell, in the context of MHC molecules, which resultsin an immune reaction against the antigen.

In the context of the present invention, the terms “tumor-associatedantigen” or “tumor antigen” relate to proteins that are under normalconditions specifically expressed in a limited number of tissues and/ororgans or in specific developmental stages, for example, thetumor-associated antigen may be under normal conditions specificallyexpressed in stomach tissue, preferably in the gastric mucosa, inreproductive organs, e.g., in testis, in trophoblastic tissue, e.g., inplacenta, or in germ line cells, and are expressed or aberrantlyexpressed in one or more tumor or cancer tissues. In this context, “alimited number” preferably means not more than 3, more preferably notmore than 2. The tumor-associated antigens in the context of the presentinvention include, for example, differentiation antigens, preferablycell type specific differentiation antigens, i.e., proteins that areunder normal conditions specifically expressed in a certain cell type ata certain differentiation stage, cancer/testis antigens, i.e., proteinsthat are under normal conditions specifically expressed in testis andsometimes in placenta, and germ line specific antigens. In the contextof the present invention, the tumor-associated antigen is preferablyassociated with the cell surface of a malignant cell and is preferablynot or only rarely expressed in normal tissues. Preferably, thetumor-associated antigen or the aberrant expression of thetumor-associated antigen identifies malignant cells. In the context ofthe present invention, the tumor-associated antigen that is expressed bya malignant cell in a subject, e.g., a patient suffering from amalignant disease, is preferably a self-protein in said subject. Inpreferred embodiments, the tumor-associated antigen in the context ofthe present invention is expressed under normal conditions specificallyin a tissue or organ that is non-essential, i.e., tissues or organswhich when damaged by the immune system do not lead to death of thesubject, or in organs or structures of the body which are not or onlyhardly accessible by the immune system. Preferably, the amino acidsequence of the tumor-associated antigen is identical between thetumor-associated antigen which is expressed in normal tissues and thetumor-associated antigen which is expressed in malignant tissues.Preferably, a tumor-associated antigen is presented by a malignant cellin which it is expressed.

In preferred embodiments, an antigen is a viral antigen such ashCMV-pp65 and the present invention involves the stimulation of a CTLresponse against infected cells expressing such viral antigen andpreferably presenting such viral antigen with class I MHC.

Cytomegalovirus is a herpes viral genus of the herpesviruses group. Inhumans it is commonly known as hCMV or Human Herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5). Allherpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latent within thebody over long periods.

hCMV infections are frequently associated with salivary glands, thoughthey may be found throughout the body. hCMV infection can also be lifethreatening for patients who are immunocompromised (e.g. patients withHIV, organ transplant recipients, or neonates). Other CMV viruses arefound in several mammal species, but species isolated from animalsdiffer from hCMV in terms of genomic structure, and have not beenreported to cause human disease.

hCMV is found throughout all geographic locations and socioeconomicgroups, and infects between 50% and 80% of adults in the United States(40% worldwide) as indicated by the presence of antibodies in much ofthe general population. hCMV is also the virus most frequentlytransmitted to a developing fetus. hCMV infection is more widespread indeveloping countries and in communities with lower socioeconomic statusand represents the most significant viral cause of birth defects inindustrialized countries.

Two CMV proteins, phosphoprotein 65 (pp65; CMV-pp65) and immediate earlyprotein-1 (IE-1), are major targets of the cellular immune response.

The term “hCMV-pp65” preferably relates to a protein comprising theamino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a variant of said aminoacid sequence.

Whenever according to the various aspects of the invention hCMV-pp65, inparticular SEQ ID NO: 1, an epitope sequence of hCMV-pp65, in particularSEQ ID NOs: 108-110, or a T cell receptor sequence specific forhCMV-pp65, in particular SEQ ID NOs: 4-29, is involved, the aim ispreferably to induce or determine an immune response against hCMV or atarget cell infected by hCMV and preferably being characterized bypresentation of hCMV-pp65, and to diagnose, treat or prevent hCMVinfection. Preferably the immune response involves the stimulation of ananti-hCMV-pp65 CTL response against infected cells expressing hCMV-pp65and preferably presenting hCMV-pp65 with class I MHC.

In preferred embodiments, an antigen is a tumor-associated antigen suchas NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1 and the present invention involves thestimulation of an anti-tumor CTL response against malignant cellsexpressing such tumor-associated antigen and preferably presenting suchtumor-associated antigen with class I MHC.

NY-ESO-1 is a cancer/testis antigen expressed in normal adult tissuessolely in the testicular germ cells of normal adults and in variouscancers. It induces specific humoral and cellular immunity in patientswith NY-ESO-1-expressing cancer.

The term “NY-ESO-1” preferably relates to human NY-ESO-1, and, inparticular, to a protein comprising the amino acid sequence according toSEQ ID NO: 2 of the sequence listing or a variant of said amino acidsequence.

Whenever according to the various aspects of the invention NY-ESO-1, inparticular SEQ ID NO: 2, an epitope sequence of NY-ESO-1, in particularSEQ ID NOs: 111-117 and 175 or a T cell receptor sequence specific forNY-ESO-1, in particular SEQ ID NOs: 30-47, 140-151, 176 and 177 isinvolved, the aim is preferably to induce or determine an immuneresponse against malignant cells expressing NY-ESO-1 and preferablybeing characterized by presentation of NY-ESO-1, and to diagnose, treator prevent a malignant disease involving cells expressing NY-ESO-1.Preferably the immune response involves the stimulation of ananti-NY-ESO-1 CTL response against malignant cells expressing NY-ESO-1and preferably presenting NY-ESO-1 with class I MHC.

The term “TPTE” relates to “transmembrane phosphatase with tensinhomology”. The term “TPTE” preferably relates to human TPTE, and, inparticular, to a protein comprising the amino acid sequence according toSEQ ID NO: 3 of the sequence listing or a variant of said amino acidsequence.

TPTE expression in healthy tissues is confined to testis and transcriptamounts are below the detection limit in all other normal tissuespecimens. In contrast, TPTE expression is found across different cancertypes including malignant melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostatecancer, mammary cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma andcervical cancer.

TPTE transcription is initiated during the course of malignanttransformation by cancer-associated DNA hypomethylation. Furthermore,TPTE promotes cancer progression and metastatic spread of cancer cells.In particular, TPTE is vital for efficient chemotaxis, a process whichis involved in multiple aspects of cancer progression including cancerinvasion and metastasis with impact on homing and metastatic destinationof cancer cells. TPTE expression in primary tumors is associated with asignificantly higher rate of metastatic disease.

Whenever according to the various aspects of the invention TPTE, inparticular SEQ ID NO: 3, an epitope sequence of TPTE, in particular SEQID NOs: 118-139 and 178-187, or a T cell receptor sequence specific forTPTE, in particular SEQ ID NOs: 48-107 and 188-193, is involved, the aimis preferably to induce or determine an immune response againstmalignant cells expressing TPTE and preferably being characterized bypresentation of TPTE, and to diagnose, treat or prevent a malignantdisease involving cells expressing TPTE. Preferably the immune responseinvolves the stimulation of an anti-TPTE CTL response against malignantcells expressing TPTE and preferably presenting TPTE with class I MHC.

The term “PLAC1” relates to “placenta-specific protein 1”. The term“PLAC1” preferably relates to human PLAC1, and, in particular, to aprotein comprising the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 174of the sequence listing or a variant of said amino acid sequence.

PLAC1 is a placenta-specific gene which is frequently aberrantlyactivated and highly expressed in a variety of tumor types. PLAC1expression has been found, for example, in breast cancer, lung cancer,ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer,renal cell cancer, hepatic cancer, sarcoma, thyroid cancer, and head andneck cancer. PLAC1 is expressed in 82% of breast cancer patients.Regarding lung cancer and gastric cancer, PLAC1 is expressed in 42 and58% of the cases, respectively.

RNAi-mediated silencing of PLAC1 in MCF-7 and BT-549 breast cancer cellsprofoundly impairs motility, migration, and invasion and induces a G1/Scell cycle block with nearly complete abrogation of proliferation. Knockdown of PLAC1 is associated with decreased expression of cyclin D1 andreduced phosphorylation of AKT kinase. PLAC1 is involved not only incell proliferation but also cell motility, migration and invasion.

Whenever according to the various aspects of the invention PLAC1, inparticular SEQ ID NO: 174, an epitope sequence of PLAC1, in particularSEQ ID NOs: 172, 173 and 196, or a T cell receptor sequence specific forPLAC1, in particular SEQ ID NOs: 152-171, 194 and 195, is involved, theaim is preferably to induce or determine an immune response againstmalignant cells expressing PLAC1 and preferably being characterized bypresentation of PLAC1, and to diagnose, treat or prevent a malignantdisease involving cells expressing PLAC1. Preferably the immune responseinvolves the stimulation of an anti-PLAC1 CTL response against malignantcells expressing PLAC1 and preferably presenting PLAC1 with class I MHC.

The above described antigen sequences include any variants of saidsequences, in particular mutants, splice variants, conformations,isoforms, allelic variants, species variants and species homologs, inparticular those which are naturally present. An allelic variant relatesto an alteration in the normal sequence of a gene, the significance ofwhich is often unclear. Complete gene sequencing often identifiesnumerous allelic variants for a given gene. A species homolog is anucleic acid or amino acid sequence with a different species of originfrom that of a given nucleic acid or amino acid sequence. The terms“CMV-pp65”, “NY-ESO-1”, “TPTE” and “PLAC1” shall encompass (i) splicevariants, (ii) posttranslationally modified variants, particularlyincluding variants with different glycosylation such as N-glycosylationstatus, (iii) conformation variants, and (iv) disease related andnon-disease related variants. Preferably, “CMV-pp65”, “NY-ESO-1”, “TPTE”or “PLAC1” is present in its native conformation.

“Target cell” shall mean a cell which is a target for an immune responsesuch as a cellular immune response. Target cells include cells thatpresent an antigen or an antigen epitope, i.e. a peptide fragmentderived from an antigen, and include any undesirable cell such as avirus infected cell or malignant cell as described above. In preferredembodiments, the target cell is a cell expressing an antigen asdescribed herein and preferably presenting said antigen with class IMHC.

The term “subject previously exposed to an antigen” means a subject suchas a human being previously having contact with an antigen andpreferably being seropositive for the antigen and/or an agent comprisingthe antigen. Such seropositivity may be determined by determining animmune response to the antigen or an agent comprising the antigen or acomponent of said agent other than the antigen, e.g. another antigen, inthe subject. Said determination of an immune response preferablycomprises determining an antibody response such as a IgG response.

The term “epitope” refers to an antigenic determinant in a molecule suchas an antigen, i.e., to a part in or fragment of the molecule that isrecognized by the immune system, for example, that is recognized by a Tcell, in particular when presented in the context of MHC molecules. Anepitope of a protein such as a tumor-associated antigen or viral antigenpreferably comprises a continuous or discontinuous portion of saidprotein and is preferably between 5 and 100, preferably between 5 and50, more preferably between 8 and 30, most preferably between 10 and 25amino acids in length, for example, the epitope may be preferably 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 aminoacids in length. It is particularly preferred that the epitope in thecontext of the present invention is a T cell epitope.

The terms “epitope”, “fragment of an antigen”, “antigen peptide” and“peptide” are used interchangeably herein and preferably relate to anincomplete representation of an antigen which is preferably capable ofeliciting an immune response against the antigen or a cell expressing orcomprising and preferably presenting the antigen. Preferably, the termsrelate to an immunogenic portion of an antigen. Preferably, it is aportion of an antigen that is recognized (i.e., specifically bound) by aT cell receptor, in particular if presented in the context of MHCmolecules. Certain preferred immunogenic portions bind to an MHC class Ior class II molecule. As used herein, an immunogenic portion is said to“bind to” an MHC class I or class II molecule if such binding isdetectable using any assay known in the art.

Preferably, the antigen peptides disclosed herein comprising an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108 to139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 or a variant of said amino acidsequence are capable of stimulating an immune response, preferably acellular response against the antigen from which they are derived orcells characterized by expression of the antigen and preferablycharacterized by presentation of the antigen. Preferably, an antigenpeptide is capable of stimulating a cellular response against a cellcharacterized by presentation of the antigen with class I MHC andpreferably is capable of stimulating an antigen-responsive CTL.Preferably, the antigen peptides according to the invention are MHCclass I and/or class II presented peptides or can be processed toproduce MHC class I and/or class II presented peptides. Preferably, thesequence bound to the MHC molecule is selected from SEQ ID NOs: 108 to139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196.

If an antigen peptide is to be presented directly, i.e. withoutprocessing, in particular without cleavage, it has a length which issuitable for binding to an MHC molecule, in particular a class I MHCmolecule, and preferably is 7-20 amino acids in length, more preferably7-12 amino acids in length, more preferably 8-11 amino acids in length,in particular 9 or 10 amino acids in length. Preferably the sequence ofan antigen peptide which is to be presented directly substantiallycorresponds and is preferably completely identical to a sequenceselected from SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196.

If an antigen peptide is to be presented following processing, inparticular following cleavage, the peptide produced by processing has alength which is suitable for binding to an MHC molecule, in particular aclass I MHC molecule, and preferably is 7-20 amino acids in length, morepreferably 7-12 amino acids in length, more preferably 8-11 amino acidsin length, in particular 9 or 10 amino acids in length. Preferably, thesequence of the peptide which is to be presented following processingsubstantially corresponds and is preferably completely identical to asequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187and 196. Thus, an antigen peptide according to the invention in oneembodiment comprises a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 139,172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196 and following processing of theantigen peptide makes up a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 108 to139, 172, 173, 175, 178 to 187 and 196.

Peptides having amino acid sequences substantially corresponding to asequence of a peptide which is presented by MHC molecules may differ atone or more residues that are not essential for TCR recognition of thepeptide as presented by the MHC, or for peptide binding to MHC. Suchsubstantially corresponding peptides preferably are also capable ofstimulating an antigen-specific cellular response such asantigen-specific CTL. Peptides having amino acid sequences differingfrom a presented peptide at residues that do not affect TCR recognitionbut improve the stability of binding to MHC may improve theimmunogenicity of the antigen peptide, and may be referred to herein as“optimized peptides”. Using existing knowledge about which of theseresidues may be more likely to affect binding either to the MHC or tothe TCR, a rational approach to the design of substantiallycorresponding peptides may be employed. Resulting peptides that arefunctional are contemplated as antigen peptides. Sequences as discussedabove are encompassed by the term “variant” used herein.

An antigen peptide may bind to MHC molecules such as MHC molecules onthe surface of a cell and thus, may be a “MHC binding peptide”. The term“MHC binding peptide” relates to a peptide which binds to an MHC class Iand/or an MHC class II molecule. In the case of class I MHC/peptidecomplexes, the binding peptides are typically 8-10 amino acids longalthough longer or shorter peptides may be effective. In the case ofclass II MHC/peptide complexes, the binding peptides are typically 10-25amino acids long and are in particular 13-18 amino acids long, whereaslonger and shorter peptides may be effective.

The term “portion” refers to a fraction. With respect to a particularstructure such as an amino acid sequence or protein the term “portion”thereof may designate a continuous or a discontinuous fraction of saidstructure. Preferably, a portion of an amino acid sequence comprises atleast 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%,preferably at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably atleast 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least80%, and most preferably at least 90% of the amino acids of said aminoacid sequence. Preferably, if the portion is a discontinuous fractionsaid discontinuous fraction is composed of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or moreparts of a structure, each part being a continuous element of thestructure. For example, a discontinuous fraction of an amino acidsequence may be composed of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more, preferably notmore than 4 parts of said amino acid sequence, wherein each partpreferably comprises at least 5 continuous amino acids, at least 10continuous amino acids, preferably at least 20 continuous amino acids,preferably at least 30 continuous amino acids of the amino acidsequence.

The terms “part” and “fragment” are used interchangeably herein andrefer to a continuous element. For example, a part of a structure suchas an amino acid sequence or protein refers to a continuous element ofsaid structure. A portion, a part or a fragment of a structurepreferably comprises one or more functional properties of saidstructure. For example, a portion, a part or a fragment of an epitope,peptide or protein is preferably immunologically equivalent to theepitope, peptide or protein it is derived from. In the context of thepresent invention, a “part” of a structure such as an amino acidsequence preferably comprises, preferably consists of at least 10%, atleast 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, atleast 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92%, atleast 94%, at least 96%, at least 98%, at least 99% of the entirestructure or amino acid sequence. Portions, parts or fragments asdiscussed above are encompassed by the term “variant” used herein.

“Antigen processing” refers to the degradation of an antigen intoprocession products, which are fragments of said antigen (e.g., thedegradation of a protein into peptides) and the association of one ormore of these fragments (e.g., via binding) with MHC molecules forpresentation by cells, preferably antigen presenting cells to specific Tcells.

An antigen-presenting cell (APC) is a cell that displays antigen in thecontext of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on its surface. Tcells may recognize this complex using their T cell receptor (TCR).Antigen-presenting cells process antigens and present them to T cells.

Professional antigen-presenting cells are very efficient atinternalizing antigen, either by phagocytosis or by receptor-mediatedendocytosis, and then displaying a fragment of the antigen, bound to aclass II MHC molecule, on their membrane. The T cell recognizes andinteracts with the antigen-class II MHC molecule complex on the membraneof the antigen-presenting cell. An additional co-stimulatory signal isthen produced by the antigen-presenting cell, leading to activation ofthe T cell. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules is a definingfeature of professional antigen-presenting cells.

The main types of professional antigen-presenting cells are dendriticcells, which have the broadest range of antigen presentation, and areprobably the most important antigen-presenting cells, macrophages,B-cells, and certain activated epithelial cells.

Non-professional antigen-presenting cells do not constitutively expressthe MHC class II proteins required for interaction with naive T cells;these are expressed only upon stimulation of the non-professionalantigen-presenting cells by certain cytokines such as IFNγ.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are leukocyte populations that present antigenscaptured in peripheral tissues to T cells via both MHC class II and Iantigen presentation pathways. It is well known that dendritic cells arepotent inducers of immune responses and the activation of these cells isa critical step for the induction of antitumoral immunity.

Dendritic cells and progenitors may be obtained from peripheral blood,bone marrow, tumor-infiltrating cells, peritumoral tissues-infiltratingcells, lymph nodes, spleen, skin, umbilical cord blood or any othersuitable tissue or fluid. For example, dendritic cells may bedifferentiated ex vivo by adding a combination of cytokines such asGM-CSF, IL-4, IL-13 and/or TNFa to cultures of monocytes harvested fromperipheral blood. Alternatively, CD34 positive cells harvested fromperipheral blood, umbilical cord blood or bone marrow may bedifferentiated into dendritic cells by adding to the culture mediumcombinations of GM-CSF, IL-3, TNFα, CD40 ligand, LPS, flt3 ligand and/orother compound(s) that induce differentiation, maturation andproliferation of dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells are conveniently categorized as “immature” and “mature”cells, which can be used as a simple way to discriminate between twowell characterized phenotypes. However, this nomenclature should not beconstrued to exclude all possible intermediate stages ofdifferentiation.

Immature dendritic cells are characterized as antigen presenting cellswith a high capacity for antigen uptake and processing, which correlateswith the high expression of Fcγ receptor and mannose receptor. Themature phenotype is typically characterized by a lower expression ofthese markers, but a high expression of cell surface moleculesresponsible for T cell activation such as class I and class II MHC,adhesion molecules (e. g. CD54 and CD11) and costimulatory molecules (e.g., CD40, CD80, CD86 and 4-1 BB).

Dendritic cell maturation is referred to as the status of dendritic cellactivation at which such antigen-presenting dendritic cells lead to Tcell priming, while presentation by immature dendritic cells results intolerance. Dendritic cell maturation is chiefly caused by biomoleculeswith microbial features detected by innate receptors (bacterial DNA,viral RNA, endotoxin, etc.), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1,IFNs), ligation of CD40 on the dendritic cell surface by CD40L, andsubstances released from cells undergoing stressful cell death. Thedendritic cells can be derived by culturing bone marrow cells in vitrowith cytokines, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Cells such as antigen presenting cells or target cells can be loadedwith MHC class I presented peptides by exposing, i.e. pulsing, the cellswith the peptide or transducing the cells with nucleic acid, preferablyRNA, encoding a peptide or protein comprising the peptide to bepresented, e.g. a nucleic acid encoding the antigen.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the inventioncomprises an antigen presenting cell loaded with antigen peptide. Inthis respect, protocols may rely on in vitro culture/differentiation ofdendritic cells manipulated in such a way that they artificially presentantigen peptide. Production of genetically engineered dendritic cellsmay involve introduction of nucleic acids encoding antigens or antigenpeptides into dendritic cells. Transfection of dendritic cells with mRNAis a promising antigen-loading technique of stimulating strong antitumorimmunity. Such transfection may take place ex vivo, and a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising such transfected cells may then be used fortherapeutic purposes. Alternatively, a gene delivery vehicle thattargets a dendritic or other antigen presenting cell may be administeredto a patient, resulting in transfection that occurs in vivo. In vivo andex vivo transfection of dendritic cells, for example, may generally beperformed using any methods known in the art, such as those described inWO 97/24447, or the gene gun approach described by Mahvi et al.,Immunology and cell Biology 75: 456-460, 1997. Antigen loading ofdendritic cells may be achieved by incubating dendritic cells orprogenitor cells with antigen, DNA (naked or within a plasmid vector) orRNA; or with antigen-expressing recombinant bacteria or viruses (e.g.,vaccinia, fowipox, adenovirus or lentivirus vectors).

The term “immunogenicity” relates to the relative efficiency of anantigen to induce an immune reaction.

The term “immunoreactive cell” in the context of the present inventionrelates to a cell which exerts effector functions during an immunereaction. An “immunoreactive cell” preferably is capable of binding anantigen or a cell characterized by presentation of an antigen or anantigen peptide derived from an antigen and mediating an immuneresponse. For example, such cells secrete cytokines and/or chemokines,kill microbes, secrete antibodies, recognize infected or cancerouscells, and optionally eliminate such cells. For example, immunoreactivecells comprise T cells (cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, tumorinfiltrating T cells), B cells, natural killer cells, neutrophils,macrophages, and dendritic cells. Preferably, in the context of thepresent invention, “immunoreactive cells” are T cells, preferably CD4⁺and/or CD8⁺ T cells.

Preferably, an “immunoreactive cell” recognizes an antigen or an antigenpeptide derived from an antigen with some degree of specificity, inparticular if presented in the context of MHC molecules such as on thesurface of antigen presenting cells or diseased cells such as malignantcells or virus-infected cells. Preferably, said recognition enables thecell that recognizes an antigen or an antigen peptide derived from saidantigen to be responsive or reactive. If the cell is a helper T cell(CD4⁺ T cell) bearing receptors that recognize an antigen or an antigenpeptide derived from an antigen in the context of MHC class II moleculessuch responsiveness or reactivity may involve the release of cytokinesand/or the activation of CD8⁺ lymphocytes (CTLs) and/or B-cells. If thecell is a CTL such responsiveness or reactivity may involve theelimination of cells presented in the context of MHC class I molecules,i.e., cells characterized by presentation of an antigen with class IMHC, for example, via apoptosis or perforin-mediated cell lysis.According to the invention, CTL responsiveness may include sustainedcalcium flux, cell division, production of cytokines such as IFN-γ andTNF-α, up-regulation of activation markers such as CD44 and CD69, andspecific cytolytic killing of antigen expressing target cells. CTLresponsiveness may also be determined using an artificial reporter thataccurately indicates CTL responsiveness. Such CTL that recognizes anantigen or an antigen peptide derived from an antigen and are responsiveor reactive are also termed “antigen-responsive CTL” herein. If the cellis a B cell such responsiveness may involve the release ofimmunoglobulins.

According to the invention, the term “immunoreactive cell” also includesa cell which can mature into an immune cell (such as T cell, inparticular T helper cell, or cytolytic T cell) with suitablestimulation. Immunoreactive cells comprise CD34⁺ hematopoietic stemcells, immature and mature T cells and immature and mature B cells. Ifproduction of cytolytic or T helper cells recognizing an antigen isdesired, the immunoreactive cell is contacted with a cell presenting anantigen or antigen peptide under conditions which favor production,differentiation and/or selection of cytolytic T cells and of T helpercells. The differentiation of T cell precursors into a cytolytic T cell,when exposed to an antigen, is similar to clonal selection of the immunesystem.

A “lymphoid cell” is a cell which, optionally after suitablemodification, e.g. after transfer of a T cell receptor, is capable ofproducing an immune response such as a cellular immune response, or aprecursor cell of such cell, and includes lymphocytes, preferably Tlymphocytes, lymphoblasts, and plasma cells. A lymphoid cell may be animmunoreactive cell as described herein. A preferred lymphoid cell is aT cell lacking endogenous expression of a T cell receptor and which canbe modified to express such T cell receptor on the cell surface.

The terms “T cell” and “T lymphocyte” are used interchangeably hereinand include T helper cells (CD4+ T cells) and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs,CD8+ T cells) which comprise cytolytic T cells.

T cells belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, andplay a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguishedfrom other lymphocyte types, such as B cells and natural killer cells bythe presence of a special receptor on their cell surface called T cellreceptors (TCR). The thymus is the principal organ responsible for the Tcell's maturation of T cells. Several different subsets of T cells havebeen discovered, each with a distinct function.

T helper cells assist other white blood cells in immunologic processes,including maturation of B cells into plasma cells and activation ofcytotoxic T cells and macrophages, among other functions. These cellsare also known as CD4+ T cells because they express the CD4 protein ontheir surface. Helper T cells become activated when they are presentedwith peptide antigens by MHC class II molecules that are expressed onthe surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Once activated, theydivide rapidly and secrete small proteins called cytokines that regulateor assist in the active immune response.

Cytotoxic T cells destroy virally infected cells and tumor cells, andare also implicated in transplant rejection. These cells are also knownas CD8+ T cells since they express the CD8 glycoprotein at theirsurface. These cells recognize their targets by binding to antigenassociated with MHC class I, which is present on the surface of nearlyevery cell of the body.

A majority of T cells have a T cell receptor (TCR) existing as a complexof several proteins. The actual T cell receptor is composed of twoseparate peptide chains, which are produced from the independent T cellreceptor alpha and beta (TCRα and TCRβ) genes and are called α- andβ-TCR chains. γδ T cells (gamma delta T cells) represent a small subsetof T cells that possess a distinct T cell receptor (TCR) on theirsurface. However, in γδ T cells, the TCR is made up of one γ-chain andone δ-chain. This group of T cells is much less common (2% of total Tcells) than the αβ T cells.

The structure of the T cell receptor is very similar to immunoglobulinFab fragments, which are regions defined as the combined light and heavychain of an antibody arm. Each chain of the TCR is a member of theimmunoglobulin superfamily and possesses one N-terminal immunoglobulin(Ig)-variable (V) domain, one Ig-constant (C) domain, atransmembrane/cell membrane-spanning region, and a short cytoplasmictail at the C-terminal end.

According to the invention, the term “variable region of a T cellreceptor” relates to the variable domains of the TCR chains.

The variable domain of both the TCR α-chain and β-chain have threehypervariable or complementarity determining regions (CDRs), whereas thevariable region of the β-chain has an additional area ofhypervariability (HV4) that does not normally contact antigen andtherefore is not considered a CDR. CDR3 is the main CDR responsible forrecognizing processed antigen, although CDR1 of the α-chain has alsobeen shown to interact with the N-terminal part of the antigenicpeptide, whereas CDR1 of the β-chain interacts with the C-terminal partof the peptide. CDR2 is thought to recognize the MHC. CDR4 of theβ-chain is not thought to participate in antigen recognition, but hasbeen shown to interact with superantigens.

According to the invention, the term “at least one of the CDR sequences”preferably means at least the CDR3 sequence. The term “CDR sequences ofa T cell receptor chain” preferably relates to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 ofthe α-chain or β-chain of a T cell receptor.

The constant domain of the TCR domain consists of short connectingsequences in which a cysteine residue forms disulfide bonds, which formsa link between the two chains.

All T cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.Hematopoietic progenitors derived from hematopoietic stem cells populatethe thymus and expand by cell division to generate a large population ofimmature thymocytes. The earliest thymocytes express neither CD4 norCD8, and are therefore classed as double-negative (CD4−CD8−) cells. Asthey progress through their development they become double-positivethymocytes (CD4+CD8+), and finally mature to single-positive (CD4+CD8−or CD4−CD8+) thymocytes that are then released from the thymus toperipheral tissues.

The first signal in activation of T cells is provided by binding of theT cell receptor to a short peptide presented by the majorhistocompatibility complex (MHC) on another cell. This ensures that onlya T cell with a TCR specific to that peptide is activated. The partnercell is usually a professional antigen presenting cell (APC), usually adendritic cell in the case of naïve responses, although B cells andmacrophages can be important APCs. The peptides presented to CD8+ Tcells by MHC class I molecules are 8-10 amino acids in length; thepeptides presented to CD4+ T cells by MHC class II molecules are longer,as the ends of the binding cleft of the MHC class II molecule are open.

T cells may generally be prepared in vitro or ex vivo, using standardprocedures. For example, T cells may be present within (or isolatedfrom) bone marrow, peripheral blood or a fraction of bone marrow orperipheral blood of a mammal, such as a patient, using a commerciallyavailable cell separation system. Alternatively, T cells may be derivedfrom related or unrelated humans, non-human animals, cell lines orcultures. A “sample comprising T cells” may, for example, be peripheralblood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

T cells may be stimulated with antigen, peptide, nucleic acid and/or anantigen presenting cells (APCs) that express an antigen. Suchstimulation is performed under conditions and for a time sufficient topermit the generation of T cells that are specific for an antigen, apeptide and/or cells presenting an antigen or a peptide.

Specific activation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells may be detected in a varietyof ways. Methods for detecting specific T cell activation includedetecting the proliferation of T cells, the production of cytokines(e.g., lymphokines), or the generation of cytolytic activity. For CD4+ Tcells, a preferred method for detecting specific T cell activation isthe detection of the proliferation of T cells. For CD8+ T cells, apreferred method for detecting specific T cell activation is thedetection of the generation of cytolytic activity.

In order to generate CD8+ T cell lines, antigen-presenting cells,preferably autologous antigen-presenting cells, transfected with anucleic acid which produces the antigen may be used as stimulator cells.

Nucleic acids such as RNA encoding T cell receptor (TCR) chains may beintroduced into lymphoid cells such as T cells or other cells with lyticpotential. In a suitable embodiment, the TCR α- and β-chains are clonedout from an antigen-specific T cell line and used for adoptive T celltherapy. The present invention provides T cell receptors specific for anantigen or antigen peptide disclosed herein. In general, this aspect ofthe invention relates to T cell receptors which recognize or bindantigen peptides presented in the context of MHC. The nucleic acidsencoding α- and β-chains of a T cell receptor, e.g. a T cell receptorprovided according to the present invention, may be contained onseparate nucleic acid molecules such as expression vectors oralternatively, on a single nucleic acid molecule. Accordingly, the term“a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor” relates to nucleic acidmolecules encoding the T cell receptor chains on the same or preferablyon different nucleic acid molecules.

The term “immunoreactive cell reactive with a peptide” relates to animmunoreactive cell which when it recognizes the peptide, in particularif presented in the context of MHC molecules such as on the surface ofantigen presenting cells or diseased cells such as malignant cells orvirus-infected cells, exerts effector functions of immunoreactive cellsas described above.

The term “T cell receptor reactive with a peptide” relates to a T cellreceptor which when present on an immunoreactive cell recognizes thepeptide, in particular if presented in the context of MHC molecules suchas on the surface of antigen presenting cells or diseased cells such asmalignant cells or virus-infected cells, such that the immunoreactivecell exerts effector functions of immunoreactive cells as describedabove.

The term “antigen-reactive T cell” relates to a T cell which recognizesan antigen if presented in the context of MHC molecules such as on thesurface of antigen presenting cells or diseased cells such as malignantcells or virus-infected cells and exerts effector functions of T cellsas described above.

The term “antigen-specific lymphoid cell” relates to a lymphoid cellwhich, in particular when provided with an antigen-specific T cellreceptor, recognizes the antigen if presented in the context of MHCmolecules such as on the surface of antigen presenting cells or diseasedcells such as malignant cells or virus-infected cells and preferablyexerts effector functions of T cells as described above. T cells andother lymphoid cells are considered to be specific for antigen if thecells kill target cells expressing an antigen and/or presenting anantigen peptide. T cell specificity may be evaluated using any of avariety of standard techniques, for example, within a chromium releaseassay or proliferation assay. Alternatively, synthesis of lymphokines(such as interferon-γ) can be measured

The term “major histocompatibility complex” and the abbreviation “MHC”include MHC class I and MHC class II molecules and relate to a complexof genes which occurs in all vertebrates. MHC proteins or molecules areimportant for signaling between lymphocytes and antigen presenting cellsor diseased cells in immune reactions, wherein the MHC proteins ormolecules bind peptides and present them for recognition by T cellreceptors. The proteins encoded by the MHC are expressed on the surfaceof cells, and display both self antigens (peptide fragments from thecell itself) and nonself antigens (e.g., fragments of invadingmicroorganisms) to a T cell.

The MHC region is divided into three subgroups, class I, class II, andclass III. MHC class I proteins contain an α-chain and β2-microglobulin(not part of the MHC encoded by chromosome 15). They present antigenfragments to cytotoxic T cells. On most immune system cells,specifically on antigen-presenting cells, MHC class II proteins containα- and β-chains and they present antigen fragments to T-helper cells.MHC class III region encodes for other immune components, such ascomplement components and some that encode cytokines.

In humans, genes in the MHC region that encode antigen-presentingproteins on the cell surface are referred to as human leukocyte antigen(HLA) genes. However the abbreviation MHC is often used to refer to HLAgene products. HLA genes include the nine so-called classical MHC genes:HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRA,and HLA-DRB1.

In one preferred embodiment of all aspects of the invention an MHCmolecule is an HLA molecule.

By “cell characterized by presentation of an antigen”, “cell presentingan antigen”, “antigen presented by a cell”, “antigen presented” orsimilar expressions is meant a cell such as a diseased cell such as avirus-infected cell or a malignant cell, or an antigen presenting cellpresenting the antigen it expresses or a fragment derived from saidantigen, e.g. by processing of the antigen, in the context of MHCmolecules, in particular MHC Class I molecules. Similarly, the terms“disease characterized by presentation of an antigen” denotes a diseaseinvolving cells characterized by presentation of an antigen, inparticular with class I MHC. Presentation of an antigen by a cell may beeffected by transfecting the cell with a nucleic acid such as RNAencoding the antigen.

By “fragment of an antigen which is presented” or similar expressions ismeant that the fragment can be presented by MHC class I or class II,preferably MHC class I, e.g. when added directly to antigen presentingcells. In one embodiment, the fragment is a fragment which is naturallypresented by cells expressing an antigen.

Some therapeutic methods are based on a reaction of the immune system ofa patient, which results in a lysis of diseased cells which present anantigen with class I MHC. In this connection, for example autologouscytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for a complex of an antigen peptide andan MHC molecule may be administered to a patient having a disease. Theproduction of such cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro is known. An exampleof a method of differentiating T cells can be found in WO-A-9633265.Generally, a sample containing cells such as blood cells is taken fromthe patient and the cells are contacted with a cell which presents thecomplex and which can cause propagation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (e.g.dendritic cells). The target cell may be a transfected cell such as aCOS cell. These transfected cells present the desired complex on theirsurface and, when contacted with cytotoxic T lymphocytes, stimulatepropagation of the latter. The clonally expanded autologous cytotoxic Tlymphocytes are then administered to the patient.

In another method of selecting cytotoxic T lymphocytes, fluorogenictetramers of MHC class I molecule/peptide complexes are used forobtaining specific clones of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Altman et al.(1996), Science 274:94-96; Dunbar et al. (1998), Curr. Biol. 8:413-416,1998).

Furthermore, cells presenting the desired complex (e.g. dendritic cells)may be combined with cytotoxic T lymphocytes of healthy individuals oranother species (e.g. mouse) which may result in propagation of specificcytotoxic T lymphocytes with high affinity. The high affinity T cellreceptor of these propagated specific T lymphocytes may be cloned andoptionally humanized to a different extent, and the T cell receptorsthus obtained then transduced via gene transfer, for example usingretroviral vectors, into T cells of patients. Adoptive transfer may thenbe carried out using these genetically altered T lymphocytes(Stanislawski et al. (2001), Nat Immunol. 2:962-70; Kessels et al.(2001), Nat Immunol. 2:957-61.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes may also be generated in vivo in a manner knownper se. One method uses nonproliferative cells expressing an MHC classI/peptide complex. The cells used here will be those which usuallyexpress the complex, such as irradiated tumor cells or cells transfectedwith one or both genes necessary for presentation of the complex (i.e.the antigenic peptide and the presenting MHC molecule). Anotherpreferred form is the introduction of an antigen in the form ofrecombinant RNA which may be introduced into cells by liposomal transferor by electroporation, for example. The resulting cells present thecomplex of interest and are recognized by autologous cytotoxic Tlymphocytes which then propagate.

A similar effect can be achieved by combining an antigen or an antigenpeptide with an adjuvant in order to make incorporation intoantigen-presenting cells in vivo possible. The antigen or antigenpeptide may be represented as protein, as DNA (e.g. within a vector) oras RNA. The antigen may be processed to produce a peptide partner forthe MHC molecule, while a fragment thereof may be presented without theneed for further processing. The latter is the case in particular, ifthese can bind to MHC molecules. Preference is given to administrationforms in which the complete antigen is processed in vivo by a dendriticcell, since this may also produce T helper cell responses which areneeded for an effective immune response (Ossendorp et al., Immunol Lett.(2000), 74:75-9; Ossendorp et al. (1998), J. Exp. Med. 187:693-702. Ingeneral, it is possible to administer an effective amount of thetumor-associated antigen to a patient by intradermal injection, forexample. However, injection may also be carried out intranodally into alymph node (Maloy et al. (2001), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:3299-303.

According to the invention, a “reference” such as a reference sample orreference organism may be used to correlate and compare the resultsobtained in the methods of the invention from a test sample or testorganism. Typically the reference organism is a healthy organism, inparticular an organism which does not suffer from a disease such as amalignant disease or viral disease. A “reference value” or “referencelevel” can be determined from a reference empirically by measuring asufficiently large number of references. Preferably the reference valueis determined by measuring at least 2, preferably at least 3, preferablyat least 5, preferably at least 8, preferably at least 12, preferably atleast 20, preferably at least 30, preferably at least 50, or preferablyat least 100 references.

The term “immunoglobulin” relates to proteins of the immunoglobulinsuperfamily, preferably to antigen receptors such as antibodies or the Bcell receptor (BCR). The immunoglobulins are characterized by astructural domain, i.e., the immunoglobulin domain, having acharacteristic immunoglobulin (Ig) fold. The term encompasses membranebound immunoglobulins as well as soluble immunoglobulins. Membrane boundimmunoglobulins are also termed surface immunoglobulins or membraneimmunoglobulins, which are generally part of the BCR. Solubleimmunoglobulins are generally termed antibodies. Immunoglobulinsgenerally comprise several chains, typically two identical heavy chainsand two identical light chains which are linked via disulfide bonds.These chains are primarily composed of immunoglobulin domains, such asthe V_(L) (variable light chain) domain, C_(L) (constant light chain)domain, and the C_(H) (constant heavy chain) domains C_(H)1, C_(H)2,C_(H)3, and C_(H)4. There are five types of mammalian immunoglobulinheavy chains, i.e., α, δ, ε, γ, and μwhich account for the differentclasses of antibodies, i.e., IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. As opposed tothe heavy chains of soluble immunoglobulins, the heavy chains ofmembrane or surface immunoglobulins comprise a transmembrane domain anda short cytoplasmic domain at their carboxy-terminus. In mammals thereare two types of light chains, i.e., lambda and kappa.

The immunoglobulin chains comprise a variable region and a constantregion. The constant region is essentially conserved within thedifferent isotypes of the immunoglobulins, wherein the variable part ishighly divers and accounts for antigen recognition.

The term “antibody” refers to a glycoprotein comprising at least twoheavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected by disulfidebonds, and includes any molecule comprising an antigen binding portionthereof. The term “antibody” includes monoclonal antibodies andfragments or derivatives thereof, including, without limitation, humanmonoclonal antibodies, humanized monoclonal antibodies, chimericmonoclonal antibodies, single chain antibodies, e.g., scFv's andantigen-binding antibody fragments such as Fab and Fab′ fragments andalso includes all recombinant forms of antibodies, e.g., antibodiesexpressed in prokaryotes, unglycosylated antibodies, and anyantigen-binding antibody fragments and derivatives. Each heavy chain iscomprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein as V_(H))and a heavy chain constant region. Each light chain is comprised of alight chain variable region (abbreviated herein as V_(L)) and a lightchain constant region. The V_(H) and V_(L) regions can be furthersubdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed complementaritydetermining regions (CDR), interspersed with regions that are moreconserved, termed framework regions (FR). Each V_(H) and V_(L) iscomposed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus tocarboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3,CDR3, FR4. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain abinding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant regions ofthe antibodies may mediate the binding of the immunoglobulin to hosttissues or factors, including various cells of the immune system (e.g.,effector cells) and the first component (Clq) of the classicalcomplement system.

According to the present invention, a T cell receptor or an antibody iscapable of binding to a predetermined target if it has a significantaffinity for said predetermined target and binds to said predeterminedtarget in standard assays. “Affinity” or “binding affinity” is oftenmeasured by equilibrium dissociation constant (K_(D)). A T cell receptoror an antibody is not (substantially) capable of binding to a target ifit has no significant affinity for said target and does not bindsignificantly to said target in standard assays.

A T cell receptor or an antibody is preferably capable of bindingspecifically to a predetermined target. A T cell receptor or an antibodyis specific for a predetermined target if it is capable of binding tosaid predetermined target while it is not (substantially) capable ofbinding to other targets, i.e. has no significant affinity for othertargets and does not significantly bind to other targets in standardassays.

The term “immunologically equivalent” means that the immunologicallyequivalent molecule such as the immunologically equivalent amino acidsequence exhibits the same or essentially the same immunologicalproperties and/or exerts the same or essentially the same immunologicaleffects, e.g., with respect to the type of the immunological effect suchas induction of a humoral and/or cellular immune response, the strengthand/or duration of the induced immune reaction, or the specificity ofthe induced immune reaction. In the context of the present invention,the term “immunologically equivalent” is preferably used with respect tothe immunological effects or properties of a peptide or peptide variantused for immunization. For example, an amino acid sequence isimmunologically equivalent to a reference amino acid sequence if saidamino acid sequence when exposed to the immune system of a subjectinduces an immune reaction having a specificity of reacting with thereference amino acid sequence.

The term “immune effector functions” in the context of the presentinvention includes any functions mediated by components of the immunesystem that result, for example, in the killing of virally infectedcells or tumor cells, or in the inhibition of tumor growth and/orinhibition of tumor development, including inhibition of tumordissemination and metastasis. Preferably, the immune effector functionsin the context of the present invention are T cell mediated effectorfunctions. Such functions comprise in the case of a helper T cell (CD4⁺T cell) the recognition of an antigen or an antigen peptide derived froman antigen in the context of MHC class II molecules by T cell receptors,the release of cytokines and/or the activation of CD8⁺ lymphocytes(CTLs) and/or B-cells, and in the case of CTL the recognition of anantigen or an antigen peptide derived from an antigen in the context ofMHC class I molecules by T cell receptors, the elimination of cellspresented in the context of MHC class I molecules, i.e., cellscharacterized by presentation of an antigen with class I MHC, forexample, via apoptosis or perforin-mediated cell lysis, production ofcytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, and specific cytolytic killing ofantigen expressing target cells.

The term “T cell receptor having the specificity of another T cellreceptor” means that the two T cell receptors, in particular whenpresent on an immunoreactive cell, recognize the same epitope, inparticular when presented in the context of MHC molecules such as on thesurface of antigen-presenting cells or diseased cells such asvirus-infected cells or malignant cells and preferably provide theimmunoreactive cell with effector functions as disclosed above.Preferably, binding specificity and/or binding affinity of the T cellreceptors are similar or identical. In one preferred embodiment, a “Tcell receptor having the specificity of another T cell receptor” relatesto a T cell receptor comprising at least the CDR regions, preferably atleast the variable region of the other T cell receptor. In oneembodiment, the two T cell receptors are essentially identical oridentical.

A nucleic acid is according to the invention preferably deoxyribonucleicacid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), more preferably RNA, mostpreferably in vitro transcribed RNA (IVT RNA). Nucleic acids includeaccording to the invention genomic DNA, cDNA, mRNA, recombinantlyprepared and chemically synthesized molecules. A nucleic acid mayaccording to the invention be in the form of a molecule which is singlestranded or double stranded and linear or closed covalently to form acircle. A nucleic can be employed for introduction into, i.e.transfection of, cells, for example, in the form of RNA which can beprepared by in vitro transcription from a DNA template. The RNA canmoreover be modified before application by stabilizing sequences,capping, and polyadenylation.

The nucleic acids described herein may be comprised in a vector. Theterm “vector” as used herein includes any vectors known to the skilledperson including plasmid vectors, cosmid vectors, phage vectors such aslambda phage, viral vectors such as adenoviral or baculoviral vectors,or artificial chromosome vectors such as bacterial artificialchromosomes (BAC), yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC), or P1 artificialchromosomes (PAC). Said vectors include expression as well as cloningvectors. Expression vectors comprise plasmids as well as viral vectorsand generally contain a desired coding sequence and appropriate DNAsequences necessary for the expression of the operably linked codingsequence in a particular host organism (e.g., bacteria, yeast, plant,insect, or mammal) or in in vitro expression systems. Cloning vectorsare generally used to engineer and amplify a certain desired DNAfragment and may lack functional sequences needed for expression of thedesired DNA fragments.

As the vector for expression of a T cell receptor, either of a vectortype in which the T cell receptor chains are present in differentvectors or a vector type in which the T cell receptor chains are presentin the same vector can be used.

In those cases of the invention in which an MHC molecule presents anantigen or an antigen peptide, a nucleic acid may also comprise anucleic acid sequence coding for said MHC molecule. The nucleic acidsequence coding for the MHC molecule may be present on the same nucleicacid molecule as the nucleic acid sequence coding for the antigen or theantigen peptide, or both nucleic acid sequences may be present ondifferent nucleic acid molecules. In the latter case, the two nucleicacid molecules may be cotransfected into a cell. If a host cellexpresses neither the antigen or the antigen peptide nor the MHCmolecule, both nucleic acid sequences coding therefore may betransfected into the cell either on the same nucleic acid molecule or ondifferent nucleic acid molecules. If the cell already expresses the MHCmolecule, only the nucleic acid sequence coding for the antigen or theantigen peptide can be transfected into the cell.

As used herein, the term “RNA” means a molecule comprising at least oneribonucleotide residue. By “ribonucleotide” is meant a nucleotide with ahydroxyl group at the 2′-position of a beta-D-ribo-furanose moiety. Theterm includes double stranded RNA, single stranded RNA, isolated RNAsuch as partially purified RNA, essentially pure RNA, synthetic RNA,recombinantly produced RNA, as well as altered RNA that differs fromnaturally occurring RNA by the addition, deletion, substitution and/oralteration of one or more nucleotides. Such alterations can includeaddition of non-nucleotide material, such as to the end(s) of a RNA orinternally, for example at one or more nucleotides of the RNA.Nucleotides in RNA molecules can also comprise non-standard nucleotides,such as non-naturally occurring nucleotides or chemically synthesizednucleotides or deoxynucleotides. These altered RNAs can be referred toas analogs or analogs of naturally-occurring RNA.

According to the present invention, the term “RNA” includes andpreferably relates to “mRNA” which means “messenger RNA” and relates toa “transcript” which may be produced using DNA as template and encodes apeptide or protein. mRNA typically comprises a 5′ non translated region,a protein or peptide coding region and a 3′ non translated region. mRNAhas a limited halftime in cells and in vitro. Preferably, mRNA isproduced by in vitro transcription using a DNA template. In oneembodiment of the invention, the RNA that is to be introduced into acell is obtained by in vitro transcription of an appropriate DNAtemplate.

In the context of the present invention, the term “transcription”relates to a process, wherein the genetic code in a DNA sequence istranscribed into RNA. Subsequently, the RNA may be translated intoprotein. According to the present invention, the term “transcription”comprises “in vitro transcription”, wherein the term “in vitrotranscription” relates to a process wherein RNA, in particular mRNA, isin vitro synthesized in a cell-free system, preferably using appropriatecell extracts. Preferably, cloning vectors are applied for thegeneration of transcripts. These cloning vectors are generallydesignated as transcription vectors and are according to the presentinvention encompassed by the term “vector”. According to the presentinvention, RNA may be obtained by in vitro transcription of anappropriate DNA template. The promoter for controlling transcription canbe any promoter for any RNA polymerase. Particular examples of RNApolymerases are the T7, T3, and SP6 RNA polymerases. A DNA template forin vitro transcription may be obtained by cloning of a nucleic acid, inparticular cDNA, and introducing it into an appropriate vector for invitro transcription. The cDNA may be obtained by reverse transcriptionof RNA. Preferably cloning vectors are used for producing transcriptswhich generally are designated transcription vectors.

The cDNA containing vector template may comprise vectors carryingdifferent cDNA inserts which following transcription results in apopulation of different RNA molecules optionally capable of expressingdifferent factors or may comprise vectors carrying only one species ofcDNA insert which following transcription only results in a populationof one RNA species capable of expressing only one factor. Thus, it ispossible to produce RNA capable of expressing a single factor only or toproduce compositions of different RNAs.

The nucleic acids described according to the invention have preferablybeen isolated. The term “isolated nucleic acid” means according to theinvention that the nucleic acid was (i) amplified in vitro, for exampleby polymerase chain reaction (PCR), (ii) recombinantly produced bycloning, (iii) purified, for example by cleavage and gel-electrophoreticfractionation, or (iv) synthesized, for example by chemical synthesis.An isolated nucleic acid is a nucleic acid which is available formanipulation by recombinant DNA techniques.

Nucleic acids may, according to the invention, be present alone or incombination with other nucleic acids, which may be homologous orheterologous. In preferred embodiments, a nucleic acid is functionallylinked to expression control sequences which may be homologous orheterologous with respect to said nucleic acid. The term “homologous”means that the nucleic acids are also functionally linked naturally andthe term “heterologous” means that the nucleic acids are notfunctionally linked naturally.

A nucleic acid and an expression control sequence are “functionally”linked to one another, if they are covalently linked to one another insuch a way that expression or transcription of said nucleic acid isunder the control or under the influence of said expression controlsequence. If the nucleic acid is to be translated into a functionalprotein, then, with an expression control sequence functionally linkedto a coding sequence, induction of said expression control sequenceresults in transcription of said nucleic acid, without causing a frameshift in the coding sequence or said coding sequence not being capableof being translated into the desired protein or peptide.

The term “expression control sequence” or “expression control element”comprises according to the invention promoters, ribosome binding sites,enhancers and other control elements which regulate transcription of agene or translation of a mRNA. In particular embodiments of theinvention, the expression control sequences can be regulated. The exactstructure of expression control sequences may vary as a function of thespecies or cell type, but generally comprises 5′-untranscribed and 5′-and 3′-untranslated sequences which are involved in initiation oftranscription and translation, respectively, such as TATA box, cappingsequence, CAAT sequence, and the like. More specifically,5′-untranscribed expression control sequences comprise a promoter regionwhich includes a promoter sequence for transcriptional control of thefunctionally linked nucleic acid. Expression control sequences may alsocomprise enhancer sequences or upstream activator sequences.

According to the invention the term “promoter” or “promoter region”relates to a nucleic acid sequence which is located upstream (5′) to thenucleic acid sequence being expressed and controls expression of thesequence by providing a recognition and binding site for RNA-polymerase.The “promoter region” may include further recognition and binding sitesfor further factors which are involved in the regulation oftranscription of a gene. A promoter may control the transcription of aprokaryotic or eukaryotic gene. Furthermore, a promoter may be“inducible” and may initiate transcription in response to an inducingagent or may be “constitutive” if transcription is not controlled by aninducing agent. A gene which is under the control of an induciblepromoter is not expressed or only expressed to a small extent if aninducing agent is absent. In the presence of the inducing agent the geneis switched on or the level of transcription is increased. This ismediated, in general, by binding of a specific transcription factor.

Promoters which are preferred according to the invention includepromoters for SP6, T3 and T7 polymerase, human U6 RNA promoter, CMVpromoter, and artificial hybrid promoters thereof (e.g. CMV) where apart or parts are fused to a part or parts of promoters of genes ofother cellular proteins such as e.g. human GAPDH(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), and including or notincluding (an) additional intron(s).

The term “expression” is used herein in its broadest meaning andcomprises the production of RNA or of RNA and protein or peptide. Withrespect to RNA, the term “expression” or “translation” relates inparticular to the production of peptides or proteins. Expression may betransient or may be stable. According to the invention, the termexpression also includes an “aberrant expression” or “abnormalexpression”.

“Aberrant expression” or “abnormal expression” means according to theinvention that expression is altered, preferably increased, compared toa reference, e.g. a state in a subject not having a disease associatedwith aberrant or abnormal expression of a certain protein, e.g., atumor-associated antigen. An increase in expression refers to anincrease by at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, at least 50% or atleast 100%, or more. In one embodiment, expression is only found in adiseased tissue, while expression in a healthy tissue is repressed.

The term “specifically expressed” means that a protein is essentiallyonly expressed in a specific tissue or organ. For example, atumor-associated antigen specifically expressed in gastric mucosa meansthat said protein is primarily expressed in gastric mucosa and is notexpressed in other tissues or is not expressed to a significant extentin other tissue or organ types. Thus, a protein that is exclusivelyexpressed in cells of the gastric mucosa and to a significantly lesserextent in any other tissue, such as testis, is specifically expressed incells of the gastric mucosa. In some embodiments, a tumor-associatedantigen may also be specifically expressed under normal conditions inmore than one tissue type or organ, such as in 2 or 3 tissue types ororgans, but preferably in not more than 3 different tissue or organtypes. In this case, the tumor-associated antigen is then specificallyexpressed in these organs. For example, if a tumor-associated antigen isexpressed under normal conditions preferably to an approximately equalextent in lung and stomach, said tumor-associated antigen isspecifically expressed in lung and stomach.

The term “translation” according to the invention relates to the processin the ribosomes of a cell by which a strand of messenger RNA directsthe assembly of a sequence of amino acids to make a protein or peptide.

According to the invention, the term “nucleic acid encoding” means thatnucleic acid, if present in the appropriate environment, preferablywithin a cell, can be expressed to produce a protein or peptide itencodes.

According to the invention, the stability and translation efficiency ofthe RNA introduced into a cell may be modified as required. For example,RNA may be stabilized and its translation increased by one or moremodifications having a stabilizing effects and/or increasing translationefficiency of RNA. Such modifications are described, for example, inPCT/EP2006/009448 incorporated herein by reference.

For example, RNA having an unmasked poly-A sequence is translated moreefficiently than RNA having a masked poly-A sequence. The term “poly-Asequence” or “poly-A+” relates to a sequence of adenyl (A) residueswhich typically is located on the 3′-end of a RNA molecule and “unmaskedpoly-A sequence” means that the poly-A sequence at the 3′-end of an RNAmolecule ends with an A of the poly-A sequence and is not followed bynucleotides other than A located at the 3′-end, i.e. downstream, of thepoly-A sequence. Furthermore, a long poly-A sequence of about 120 basepairs results in an optimal transcript stability and translationefficiency of RNA.

Therefore, in order to increase stability and/or expression of the RNAused according to the present invention, it may be modified so as to bepresent in conjunction with a poly-A sequence, preferably having alength of 10 to 500, more preferably 30 to 300, even more preferably 65to 200 and especially 100 to 150 adenosine residues. In an especiallypreferred embodiment the poly-A sequence has a length of approximately120 adenosine residues. To further increase stability and/or expressionof the RNA used according to the invention, the poly-A sequence can beunmasked.

In addition, incorporation of a 3′-non translated region (UTR) into the3′-non translated region of an RNA molecule can result in an enhancementin translation efficiency. A synergistic effect may be achieved byincorporating two or more of such 3′-non translated regions. The 3′-nontranslated regions may be autologous or heterologous to the RNA intowhich they are introduced. In one particular embodiment the 3′-nontranslated region is derived from the human β-globin gene.

A combination of the above described modifications, i.e. incorporationof a poly-A sequence, unmasking of a poly-A sequence and incorporationof one or more 3′-non translated regions, has a synergistic influence onthe stability of RNA and increase in translation efficiency.

In order to increase expression of the RNA used according to the presentinvention, it may be modified within the coding region, i.e. thesequence encoding the expressed factor, preferably without altering thesequence of the expressed factor, so as to increase the GC-content andthus, enhance translation in cells.

In further embodiments of the invention, the RNA that is to beintroduced into a cell has, at its 5′-end, a Cap structure or aregulatory sequence, which promotes the translation in the host cell.Preferably, RNA is capped at its 5′-end by an optionally modified7-methylguanosine attached by a 5′-5′ bridge to the first transcribednucleotide of the mRNA chain. Preferably, the 5′-end of the RNA includesa Cap structure having the following general formula:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydroxy or methoxy and W⁻, X⁻ and Y⁻are independently oxygen or sulfur. In a preferred embodiment, R₁ and R₂are hydroxy and W⁻, X⁻ and Y⁻ are oxygen. In a further preferredembodiment, one of R₁ and R₂, preferably R₁ is hydroxy and the other ismethoxy and W⁻, X⁻ and Y⁻ are oxygen. In a further preferred embodiment,R₁ and R₂ are hydroxy and one of W⁻, X⁻ and Y⁻, preferably X⁻ is sulfurwhile the other are oxygen. In a further preferred embodiment, one of R₁and R₂, preferably R₂ is hydroxy and the other is methoxy and one of W⁻,X⁻ and Y⁻, preferably X⁻ is sulfur while the other are oxygen. In all ofthe above described embodiments, in particular in those embodimentswhere X is defined as sulfur, X⁻ may alternatively be boron or selenium.

In the above formula, the nucleotide on the right hand side is connectedto the RNA chain through its 3′-group.

Those Cap structures wherein at least one of W⁻, X⁻ and Y⁻ is sulfur,i.e. which have a phosphorothioate moiety, exist in differentdiastereoisomeric forms all of which are encompassed herein.Furthermore, the present invention encompasses all tautomers andstereoisomers of the above formula.

Of course, if according to the present invention it is desired todecrease stability and/or translation efficiency of RNA, it is possibleto modify RNA so as to interfere with the function of elements asdescribed above increasing the stability and/or translation efficiencyof RNA.

According to the present invention, any technique useful forintroducing, i.e. transferring or transfecting, nucleic acids into cellsmay be used. Preferably, RNA is transfected into cells by standardtechniques. Such techniques include electroporation, lipofection andmicroinjection. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, RNA is introduced into cells by electroporation.

Electroporation or electropermeabilization relates to a significantincrease in the electrical conductivity and permeability of the cellplasma membrane caused by an externally applied electrical field. It isusually used in molecular biology as a way of introducing some substanceinto a cell.

Electroporation is usually done with electroporators, appliances whichcreate an electro-magnetic field in the cell solution. The cellsuspension is pipetted into a glass or plastic cuvette which has twoaluminum electrodes on its sides. For electroporation, typically a cellsuspension of around 50 microliters is used. Prior to electroporation itis mixed with the nucleic acid to be transfected. The mixture ispipetted into the cuvette, the voltage and capacitance is set and thecuvette inserted into the electroporator. Preferably, liquid medium isadded immediately after electroporation (in the cuvette or in aneppendorf tube), and the tube is incubated at the cells' optimaltemperature for an hour or more to allow recovery of the cells andoptionally expression of antibiotic resistance.

According to the invention it is preferred that introduction of nucleicacid encoding a protein or peptide into cells results in expression ofsaid protein or peptide.

The term “peptide” comprises oligo- and polypeptides and refers tosubstances comprising two or more, preferably 3 or more, preferably 4 ormore, preferably 6 or more, preferably 8 or more, preferably 9 or more,preferably 10 or more, preferably 13 or more, preferably 16 more,preferably 21 or more and up to preferably 8, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50, inparticular 100 amino acids joined covalently by peptide bonds. The term“protein” refers to large peptides, preferably to peptides with morethan 100 amino acid residues, but in general the terms “peptides” and“proteins” are synonyms and are used interchangeably herein.

Preferably, the proteins and peptides described according to theinvention have been isolated. The terms “isolated protein” or “isolatedpeptide” mean that the protein or peptide has been separated from itsnatural environment. An isolated protein or peptide may be in anessentially purified state. The term “essentially purified” means thatthe protein or peptide is essentially free of other substances withwhich it is associated in nature or in vivo.

The teaching given herein with respect to specific amino acid sequences,e.g. those shown in the sequence listing, is to be construed so as toalso relate to modifications, i.e. variants, of said specific sequencesresulting in sequences which are functionally equivalent to saidspecific sequences, e.g. amino acid sequences exhibiting propertiesidentical or similar to those of the specific amino acid sequences. Oneimportant property is to retain binding of a peptide to an MHC moleculeand/or to a T cell receptor or of a T cell receptor to its target or tosustain effector functions of a T cell. Preferably, a sequence modifiedwith respect to a specific sequence, when it replaces the specificsequence in a T cell receptor retains binding of said T cell receptor tothe target and preferably functions of said T cell receptor or T cellcarrying the T cell receptor as described herein.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in particularthe sequences of the CDR sequences, hypervariable and variable regionscan be modified without losing the ability to bind to a target. Forexample, CDR sequences will be either identical or highly homologous tothe CDR sequences specified herein.

A peptide “variant” may retain the immunogenicity of a given peptide(e.g. the ability of the variant to react with T cell lines or clones isnot substantially diminished relative to the given peptide). In otherwords, the ability of a variant to react with T cell lines or clones maybe enhanced or unchanged, relative to the given peptide, or may bediminished by less than 50%, and preferably less than 20%, relative tothe given peptide.

A variant may be identified by evaluating its ability to bind to a MHCmolecule. In one preferred embodiment, a variant peptide has amodification such that the ability of the variant peptide to bind to aMHC molecule is increased relative to the given peptide. The ability ofthe variant peptide to bind to a MHC molecule may be increased by atleast 2-fold, preferably at least 3-fold, 4-fold, or 5-fold relative tothat of a given peptide. Accordingly, within certain preferredembodiments, a peptide comprises a variant in which 1 to 3 amino acidresides within an immunogenic portion are substituted such that theability to react with T cell lines or clones is statistically greaterthan that for the unmodified peptide. Such substitutions are preferablylocated within an MHC binding site of the peptide. Preferredsubstitutions allow increased binding to MHC class I or class IImolecules. Certain variants contain conservative substitutions.

By “highly homologous” it is contemplated that from 1 to 5, preferablyfrom 1 to 4, such as 1 to 3 or 1 or 2 substitutions may be made.

The term “variant” according to the invention also includes mutants,splice variants, conformations, isoforms, allelic variants, speciesvariants and species homologs, in particular those which are naturallypresent. An allelic variant relates to an alteration in the normalsequence of a gene, the significance of which is often unclear. Completegene sequencing often identifies numerous allelic variants for a givengene. A species homolog is a nucleic acid or amino acid sequence with adifferent species of origin from that of a given nucleic acid or aminoacid sequence.

For the purposes of the present invention, “variants” of an amino acidsequence comprise amino acid insertion variants, amino acid additionvariants, amino acid deletion variants and/or amino acid substitutionvariants. Amino acid deletion variants that comprise the deletion at theN-terminal and/or C-terminal end of the protein are also calledN-terminal and/or C-terminal truncation variants.

Amino acid insertion variants comprise insertions of single or two ormore amino acids in a particular amino acid sequence. In the case ofamino acid sequence variants having an insertion, one or more amino acidresidues are inserted into a particular site in an amino acid sequence,although random insertion with appropriate screening of the resultingproduct is also possible.

Amino acid addition variants comprise amino- and/or carboxy-terminalfusions of one or more amino acids, such as 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50,or more amino acids.

Amino acid deletion variants are characterized by the removal of one ormore amino acids from the sequence, such as by removal of 1, 2, 3, 5,10, 20, 30, 50, or more amino acids. The deletions may be in anyposition of the protein.

Amino acid substitution variants are characterized by at least oneresidue in the sequence being removed and another residue being insertedin its place. Preference is given to the modifications being inpositions in the amino acid sequence which are not conserved betweenhomologous proteins or peptides and/or to replacing amino acids withother ones having similar properties. Preferably, amino acid changes inprotein variants are conservative amino acid changes, i.e.,substitutions of similarly charged or uncharged amino acids. Aconservative amino acid change involves substitution of one of a familyof amino acids which are related in their side chains. Naturallyoccurring amino acids are generally divided into four families: acidic(aspartate, glutamate), basic (lysine, arginine, histidine), non-polar(alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine,methionine, tryptophan), and uncharged polar (glycine, asparagine,glutamine, cysteine, serine, threonine, tyrosine) amino acids.Phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine are sometimes classified jointlyas aromatic amino acids.

Preferably the degree of similarity, preferably identity between a givenamino acid sequence and an amino acid sequence which is a variant ofsaid given amino acid sequence will be at least about 60%, 65%, 70%,80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%. The degree of similarity oridentity is given preferably for an amino acid region which is at leastabout 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%,at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at leastabout 80%, at least about 90% or about 100% of the entire length of thereference amino acid sequence. For example, if the reference amino acidsequence consists of 200 amino acids, the degree of similarity oridentity is given preferably for at least about 20, at least about 40,at least about 60, at least about 80, at least about 100, at least about120, at least about 140, at least about 160, at least about 180, orabout 200 amino acids, preferably continuous amino acids. In preferredembodiments, the degree of similarity or identity is given for theentire length of the reference amino acid sequence. The alignment fordetermining sequence similarity, preferably sequence identity can bedone with art known tools, preferably using the best sequence alignment,for example, using Align, using standard settings, preferablyEMBOSS::needle, Matrix: Blosum62, Gap Open 10.0, Gap Extend 0.5.

“Sequence similarity” indicates the percentage of amino acids thateither are identical or that represent conservative amino acidsubstitutions. “Sequence identity” between two amino acid sequencesindicates the percentage of amino acids or nucleotides that areidentical between the sequences.

The term “percentage identity” is intended to denote a percentage ofamino acid residues which are identical between the two sequences to becompared, obtained after the best alignment, this percentage beingpurely statistical and the differences between the two sequences beingdistributed randomly and over their entire length. Sequence comparisonsbetween two amino acid sequences are conventionally carried out bycomparing these sequences after having aligned them optimally, saidcomparison being carried out by segment or by “window of comparison” inorder to identify and compare local regions of sequence similarity. Theoptimal alignment of the sequences for comparison may be produced,besides manually, by means of the local homology algorithm of Smith andWaterman, 1981, Ads App. Math. 2, 482, by means of the local homologyalgorithm of Neddleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48, 443, by meansof the similarity search method of Pearson and Lipman, 1988, Proc. NatlAcad. Sci. USA 85, 2444, or by means of computer programs which usethese algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, BLAST P, BLAST N and TFASTA inWisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575Science Drive, Madison, Wis.).

The percentage identity is calculated by determining the number ofidentical positions between the two sequences being compared, dividingthis number by the number of positions compared and multiplying theresult obtained by 100 so as to obtain the percentage identity betweenthese two sequences.

Homologous amino acid sequences exhibit according to the invention atleast 40%, in particular at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, atleast 80%, at least 90% and preferably at least 95%, at least 98 or atleast 99% identity of the amino acid residues.

The amino acid sequence variants described herein may readily beprepared by the skilled person, for example, by recombinant DNAmanipulation. The manipulation of DNA sequences for preparing proteinsand peptides having substitutions, additions, insertions or deletions,is described in detail in Sambrook et al. (1989), for example.Furthermore, the peptides and amino acid variants described herein maybe readily prepared with the aid of known peptide synthesis techniquessuch as, for example, by solid phase synthesis and similar methods.

The invention includes derivatives of the peptides or proteins describedherein which are comprised by the terms “peptide” and “protein”.According to the invention, “derivatives” of proteins and peptides aremodified forms of proteins and peptides. Such modifications include anychemical modification and comprise single or multiple substitutions,deletions and/or additions of any molecules associated with the proteinor peptide, such as carbohydrates, lipids and/or proteins or peptides.In one embodiment, “derivatives” of proteins or peptides include thosemodified analogs resulting from glycosylation, acetylation,phosphorylation, amidation, palmitoylation, myristoylation,isoprenylation, lipidation, alkylation, derivatization, introduction ofprotective/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage or binding to anantibody or to another cellular ligand. The term “derivative” alsoextends to all functional chemical equivalents of said proteins andpeptides. Preferably, a modified peptide has increased stability and/orincreased immunogenicity.

Also included are mimetics of peptides. Such mimetics may comprise aminoacids linked to one or more amino acid mimetics (i e., one or more aminoacids within the peptide may be replaced by an amino acid mimetic) ormay be entirely nonpeptide mimetics. An amino acid mimetic is a compoundthat is conformationally similar to an amino acid, e.g. such that it canbe substituted for an amino acid without substantially diminishing theability to react with T cell lines or clones. A nonpeptide mimetic is acompound that does not contain amino acids, and that has an overallconformation that is similar to a peptide, e.g. such that the ability ofthe mimetic to react with T cell lines or clones is not substantiallydiminished relative to the ability of a given peptide.

According to the invention, a variant, derivative, modified form,fragment, part or portion of an amino acid sequence, peptide or proteinpreferably has a functional property of the amino acid sequence, peptideor protein, respectively, from which it has been derived, i.e. it isfunctionally equivalent. In one embodiment, a variant, derivative,modified form, fragment, part or portion of an amino acid sequence,peptide or protein is immunologically equivalent to the amino acidsequence, peptide or protein, respectively, from which it has beenderived. In one embodiment, the functional property is an immunologicalproperty.

A particular property is the ability to form a complex with MHCmolecules and, where appropriate, generate an immune response,preferably by stimulating cytotoxic or T helper cells.

The term “derived” means according to the invention that a particularentity, in particular a particular sequence, is present in the objectfrom which it is derived, in particular an organism or molecule. In thecase of amino acid sequences, especially particular sequence regions,“derived” in particular means that the relevant amino acid sequence isderived from an amino acid sequence in which it is present.

The term “cell” or “host cell” preferably is an intact cell, i.e. a cellwith an intact membrane that has not released its normal intracellularcomponents such as enzymes, organelles, or genetic material. An intactcell preferably is a viable cell, i.e. a living cell capable of carryingout its normal metabolic functions. Preferably said term relatesaccording to the invention to any cell which can be transformed ortransfected with an exogenous nucleic acid. The term “cell” includesaccording to the invention prokaryotic cells (e.g., E. coli) oreukaryotic cells (e.g., dendritic cells, B cells, CHO cells, COS cells,K562 cells, HEK293 cells, HELA cells, yeast cells, and insect cells).The exogenous nucleic acid may be found inside the cell (i) freelydispersed as such, (ii) incorporated in a recombinant vector, or (iii)integrated into the host cell genome or mitochondrial DNA. Mammaliancells are particularly preferred, such as cells from humans, mice,hamsters, pigs, goats, and primates. The cells may be derived from alarge number of tissue types and include primary cells and cell lines.Specific examples include keratinocytes, peripheral blood leukocytes,bone marrow stem cells, and embryonic stem cells. In furtherembodiments, the cell is an antigen-presenting cell, in particular adendritic cell, a monocyte, or macrophage.

A cell which comprises a nucleic acid molecule preferably express thepeptide or protein encoded by the nucleic acid.

The cell may be a recombinant cell and may secrete the encoded peptideor protein, may express it on the surface and preferably mayadditionally express an MHC molecule which binds to said peptide orprotein or a procession product thereof. In one embodiment, the cellexpresses the MHC molecule endogenously. In a further embodiment, thecell expresses the MHC molecule and/or the peptide or protein or theprocession product thereof in a recombinant manner. The cell ispreferably nonproliferative. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is anantigen-presenting cell, in particular a dendritic cell, a monocyte or amacrophage.

The term “clonal expansion” refers to a process wherein a specificentity is multiplied. In the context of the present invention, the termis preferably used in the context of an immunological response in whichlymphocytes are stimulated by an antigen, proliferate, and the specificlymphocyte recognizing said antigen is amplified. Preferably, clonalexpansion leads to differentiation of the lymphocytes.

A disease associated with antigen expression may be detected based onthe presence of T cells that specifically react with a peptide in abiological sample. Within certain methods, a biological samplecomprising CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cells isolated from a patient is incubatedwith a peptide of the invention, a nucleic acid encoding such peptideand/or an antigen-presenting cell that expresses and/or presents atleast an immunogenic portion of such a peptide, and the presence orabsence of specific activation of the T cells is detected. Suitablebiological samples include, but are not limited to, isolated T cells.For example, T cells may be isolated from a patient by routinetechniques (such as by Ficoll/Hypaque density gradient centrifugation ofperipheral blood lymphocytes). For CD4+ T cells, activation ispreferably detected by evaluating proliferation of the T cells. For CD8+T cells, activation is preferably detected by evaluating cytolyticactivity. A level of proliferation that is at least two fold greaterand/or a level of cytolytic activity that is at least 20% greater thanin disease-free subjects indicates the presence of a disease associatedwith antigen expression in the subject.

“Reduce” or “inhibit” as used herein means the ability to cause anoverall decrease, preferably of 5% or greater, 10% or greater, 20% orgreater, more preferably of 50% or greater, and most preferably of 75%or greater, in the level. The term “inhibit” or similar phrases includesa complete or essentially complete inhibition, i.e. a reduction to zeroor essentially to zero.

Terms such as “increase” or “enhance” preferably relate to an increaseor enhancement by about at least 10%, preferably at least 20%,preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferablyat least 50%, even more preferably at least 80%, and most preferably atleast 100%.

The agents, compositions and methods described herein can be used totreat a subject with a disease, e.g., a disease characterized by thepresence of diseased cells expressing an antigen and presenting anantigen peptide. Examples of diseases which can be treated and/orprevented encompass all diseases expressing one of the antigensdescribed herein. Particularly preferred diseases are viral diseasessuch as hCMV infection and malignant diseases.

The agents, compositions and methods described herein may also be usedfor immunization or vaccination to prevent a disease described herein.

According to the invention, the term “disease” refers to anypathological state, including viral infections and malignant diseases,in particular those forms of viral infections and malignant diseasesdescribed herein.

The terms “normal tissue” or “normal conditions” refer to healthy tissueor the conditions in a healthy subject, i.e., non-pathologicalconditions, wherein “healthy” preferably means non-virally infected ornon-cancerous.

“Disease involving cells expressing an antigen” means according to theinvention that expression of the antigen in cells of a diseased tissueor organ is preferably increased compared to the state in a healthytissue or organ. An increase refers to an increase by at least 10%, inparticular at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, atleast 500%, at least 1000%, at least 10000% or even more. In oneembodiment, expression is only found in a diseased tissue, whileexpression in a healthy tissue is repressed. According to the invention,diseases involving or being associated with cells expressing an antigeninclude viral infections and malignant diseases, in particular thoseforms of viral infections and malignant diseases described herein.

Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors, tobecome progressively worse and to potentially result in death. It ischaracterized by the properties of anaplasia, invasiveness, andmetastasis. Malignant is a corresponding adjectival medical term used todescribe a severe and progressively worsening disease. The term“malignant disease” as used herein preferably relates to cancer or atumor disease. Similarly, the term “malignant cells” as used hereinpreferably relates to cancer cells or tumor cells. A malignant tumor maybe contrasted with a non-cancerous benign tumor in that a malignancy isnot self-limited in its growth, is capable of invading into adjacenttissues, and may be capable of spreading to distant tissues(metastasizing), while a benign tumor has none of those properties.Malignant tumor is essentially synonymous with cancer. Malignancy,malignant neoplasm, and malignant tumor are essentially synonymous withcancer.

According to the invention, the term “tumor” or “tumor disease” refersto a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (calledneoplastic cells or tumor cells). By “tumor cell” is meant an abnormalcell that grows by a rapid, uncontrolled cellular proliferation andcontinues to grow after the stimuli that initiated the new growth cease.Tumors show partial or complete lack of structural organization andfunctional coordination with the normal tissue, and usually form adistinct mass of tissue, which may be either benign, pre-malignant ormalignant.

A benign tumor is a tumor that lacks all three of the malignantproperties of a cancer. Thus, by definition, a benign tumor does notgrow in an unlimited, aggressive manner, does not invade surroundingtissues, and does not spread to non-adjacent tissues (metastasize).Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids.

The term “benign” implies a mild and nonprogressive disease, and indeed,many kinds of benign tumors are harmless to the health. However, someneoplasms which are defined as “benign tumors” because they lack theinvasive properties of a cancer, may still produce negative healtheffects. Examples of this include tumors which produce a “mass effect”(compression of vital organs such as blood vessels), or “functional”tumors of endocrine tissues, which may overproduce certain hormones(examples include thyroid adenomas, adrenocortical adenomas, andpituitary adenomas).

Benign tumors typically are surrounded by an outer surface that inhibitstheir ability to behave in a malignant manner. In some cases, certain“benign” tumors may later give rise to malignant cancers, which resultfrom additional genetic changes in a subpopulation of the tumor'sneoplastic cells. A prominent example of this phenomenon is the tubularadenoma, a common type of colon polyp which is an important precursor tocolon cancer. The cells in tubular adenomas, like most tumors whichfrequently progress to cancer, show certain abnormalities of cellmaturation and appearance collectively known as dysplasia. Thesecellular abnormalities are not seen in benign tumors that rarely ornever turn cancerous, but are seen in other pre-cancerous tissueabnormalities which do not form discrete masses, such as pre-cancerouslesions of the uterine cervix. Some authorities prefer to refer todysplastic tumors as “pre-malignant”, and reserve the term “benign” fortumors which rarely or never give rise to cancer.

Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue as a result of neoplasia.Neoplasia (new growth in Greek) is the abnormal proliferation of cells.The growth of the cells exceeds, and is uncoordinated with that of thenormal tissues around it. The growth persists in the same excessivemanner even after cessation of the stimuli. It usually causes a lump ortumor. Neoplasms may be benign, pre-malignant or malignant.

“Growth of a tumor” or “tumor growth” according to the invention relatesto the tendency of a tumor to increase its size and/or to the tendencyof tumor cells to proliferate.

Preferably, a “malignant disease” according to the invention is a cancerdisease or tumor disease, and a malignant cell is a cancer cell or tumorcell. Preferably, a “malignant disease” is characterized by cellsexpressing a tumor-associated antigen such as NY-ESO-1, TPTE or PLAC1.

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases inwhich a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond thenormal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacenttissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in thebody via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancersdifferentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and donot invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, likeleukemia, do not.

Cancers are classified by the type of cell that resembles the tumor and,therefore, the tissue presumed to be the origin of the tumor. These arethe histology and the location, respectively.

The term “cancer” according to the invention comprises leukemias,seminomas, melanomas, teratomas, lymphomas, neuroblastomas, gliomas,rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, adrenal cancer,thyroid cancer, blood cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the brain, cervicalcancer, intestinal cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer,intestine cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lymphnode cancer, esophagus cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreas cancer, ear,nose and throat (ENT) cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancer ofthe uterus, ovarian cancer and lung cancer and the metastases thereof.Examples thereof are lung carcinomas, mamma carcinomas, prostatecarcinomas, colon carcinomas, renal cell carcinomas, cervicalcarcinomas, or metastases of the cancer types or tumors described above.The term cancer according to the invention also comprises cancermetastases.

The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) andnon-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). There are three main sub-types ofthe non-small cell lung carcinomas: squamous cell lung carcinoma,adenocarcinoma, and large cell lung carcinoma. Adenocarcinomas accountfor approximately 10% of lung cancers. This cancer usually is seenperipherally in the lungs, as opposed to small cell lung cancer andsquamous cell lung cancer, which both tend to be more centrally located.

Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin. The most common skincancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma.Malignant melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It is due touncontrolled growth of pigment cells, called melanocytes.

According to the invention, a “carcinoma” is a malignant tumor derivedfrom epithelial cells. This group represents the most common cancers,including the common forms of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.

“Bronchiolar carcinoma” is a carcinoma of the lung, thought to bederived from epithelium of terminal bronchioles, in which the neoplastictissue extends along the alveolar walls and grows in small masses withinthe alveoli. Mucin may be demonstrated in some of the cells and in thematerial in the alveoli, which also includes denuded cells.

“Adenocarcinoma” is a cancer that originates in glandular tissue. Thistissue is also part of a larger tissue category known as epithelialtissue. Epithelial tissue includes skin, glands and a variety of othertissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium isderived embryologically from ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. To beclassified as adenocarcinoma, the cells do not necessarily need to bepart of a gland, as long as they have secretory properties. This form ofcarcinoma can occur in some higher mammals, including humans. Welldifferentiated adenocarcinomas tend to resemble the glandular tissuethat they are derived from, while poorly differentiated may not. Bystaining the cells from a biopsy, a pathologist will determine whetherthe tumor is an adenocarcinoma or some other type of cancer.Adenocarcinomas can arise in many tissues of the body due to theubiquitous nature of glands within the body. While each gland may not besecreting the same substance, as long as there is an exocrine functionto the cell, it is considered glandular and its malignant form istherefore named adenocarcinoma. Malignant adenocarcinomas invade othertissues and often metastasize given enough time to do so. Ovarianadenocarcinoma is the most common type of ovarian carcinoma. It includesthe serous and mucinous adenocarcinomas, the clear cell adenocarcinomaand the endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma also known as renal cell cancer or renal celladenocarcinoma is a kidney cancer that originates in the lining of theproximal convoluted tubule, the very small tubes in the kidney thatfilter the blood and remove waste products. Renal cell carcinoma is byfar the most common type of kidney cancer in adults and the most lethalof all the genitorurinary tumors. Distinct subtypes of renal cellcarcinoma are clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cellcarcinoma. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common form ofrenal cell carcinoma. When seen under a microscope, the cells that makeup clear cell renal cell carcinoma appear very pale or clear. Papillaryrenal cell carcinoma is the second most common subtype. These cancersform little finger-like projections (called papillae) in some, if notmost, of the tumors.

Lymphoma and leukemia are malignancies derived from hematopoietic(blood-forming) cells.

Blastic tumor or blastoma is a tumor (usually malignant) which resemblesan immature or embryonic tissue. Many of these tumors are most common inchildren.

By “metastasis” is meant the spread of cancer cells from its originalsite to another part of the body. The formation of metastasis is a verycomplex process and depends on detachment of malignant cells from theprimary tumor, invasion of the extracellular matrix, penetration of theendothelial basement membranes to enter the body cavity and vessels, andthen, after being transported by the blood, infiltration of targetorgans. Finally, the growth of a new tumor, i.e. a secondary tumor ormetastatic tumor, at the target site depends on angiogenesis. Tumormetastasis often occurs even after the removal of the primary tumorbecause tumor cells or components may remain and develop metastaticpotential. In one embodiment, the term “metastasis” according to theinvention relates to “distant metastasis” which relates to a metastasiswhich is remote from the primary tumor and the regional lymph nodesystem.

The cells of a secondary or metastatic tumor are like those in theoriginal tumor. This means, for example, that, if ovarian cancermetastasizes to the liver, the secondary tumor is made up of abnormalovarian cells, not of abnormal liver cells. The tumor in the liver isthen called metastatic ovarian cancer, not liver cancer.

In ovarian cancer, metastasis can occur in the following ways: by directcontact or extension, it can invade nearby tissue or organs located nearor around the ovary, such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder,rectum, etc.; by seeding or shedding into the abdominal cavity, which isthe most common way ovarian cancer spreads. Cancer cells break off thesurface of the ovarian mass and “drop” to other structures in theabdomen such as the liver, stomach, colon or diaphragm; by breakingloose from the ovarian mass, invading the lymphatic vessels and thentraveling to other areas of the body or distant organs such as the lungor liver; by breaking loose from the ovarian mass, invading the bloodsystem and traveling to other areas of the body or distant organs.

According to the invention, metastatic ovarian cancer includes cancer inthe fallopian tubes, cancer in organs of the abdomen such as cancer inthe bowel, cancer in the uterus, cancer in the bladder, cancer in therectum, cancer in the liver, cancer in the stomach, cancer in the colon,cancer in the diaphragm, cancer in the lungs, cancer in the lining ofthe abdomen or pelvis (peritoneum), and cancer in the brain. Similarly,metastatic lung cancer refers to cancer that has spread from the lungsto distant and/or several sites in the body and includes cancer in theliver, cancer in the adrenal glands, cancer in the bones, and cancer inthe brain.

A relapse or recurrence occurs when a person is affected again by acondition that affected them in the past. For example, if a patient hassuffered from a tumor disease, has received a successful treatment ofsaid disease and again develops said disease said newly developeddisease may be considered as relapse or recurrence. However, accordingto the invention, a relapse or recurrence of a tumor disease may butdoes not necessarily occur at the site of the original tumor disease.Thus, for example, if a patient has suffered from ovarian tumor and hasreceived a successful treatment a relapse or recurrence may be theoccurrence of an ovarian tumor or the occurrence of a tumor at a sitedifferent to ovary. A relapse or recurrence of a tumor also includessituations wherein a tumor occurs at a site different to the site of theoriginal tumor as well as at the site of the original tumor. Preferably,the original tumor for which the patient has received a treatment is aprimary tumor and the tumor at a site different to the site of theoriginal tumor is a secondary or metastatic tumor.

By “treat” is meant to administer a compound or composition as describedherein to a subject in order to prevent or eliminate a disease,including reducing the size of a tumor or the number of tumors in asubject; arrest or slow a disease in a subject; inhibit or slow thedevelopment of a new disease in a subject; decrease the frequency orseverity of symptoms and/or recurrences in a subject who currently hasor who previously has had a disease; and/or prolong, i.e. increase thelifespan of the subject.

In particular, the term “treatment of a disease” includes curing,shortening the duration, ameliorating, preventing, slowing down orinhibiting progression or worsening, or preventing or delaying the onsetof a disease or the symptoms thereof.

By “being at risk” is meant a subject, i.e. a patient, that isidentified as having a higher than normal chance of developing adisease, in particular cancer, compared to the general population. Inaddition, a subject who has had, or who currently has, a disease, inparticular cancer is a subject who has an increased risk for developinga disease, as such a subject may continue to develop a disease. Subjectswho currently have, or who have had, a cancer also have an increasedrisk for cancer metastases.

The term “immunotherapy” relates to a treatment involving a specificimmune reaction. In the context of the present invention, terms such as“protect”, “prevent”, “prophylactic”, “preventive”, or “protective”relate to the prevention or treatment or both of the occurrence and/orthe propagation of a disease in a subject and, in particular, tominimizing the chance that a subject will develop a disease or todelaying the development of a disease. For example, a person at risk fora tumor, as described above, would be a candidate for therapy to preventa tumor.

A prophylactic administration of an immunotherapy, for example, aprophylactic administration of the composition of the invention,preferably protects the recipient from the development of a disease. Atherapeutic administration of an immunotherapy, for example, atherapeutic administration of the composition of the invention, may leadto the inhibition of the progress/growth of the disease. This comprisesthe deceleration of the progress/growth of the disease, in particular adisruption of the progression of the disease, which preferably leads toelimination of the disease.

Immunotherapy may be performed using any of a variety of techniques, inwhich agents provided herein function to remove antigen-expressing cellsfrom a patient. Such removal may take place as a result of enhancing orinducing an immune response in a patient specific for an antigen or acell expressing an antigen.

Within certain embodiments, immunotherapy may be active immunotherapy,in which treatment relies on the in vivo stimulation of the endogenoushost immune system to react against diseased cells with theadministration of immune response-modifying agents (such as peptides andnucleic acids as provided herein).

Within other embodiments, immunotherapy may be passive immunotherapy, inwhich treatment involves the delivery of agents with establishedtumor-immune reactivity (such as effector cells) that can directly orindirectly mediate antitumor effects and does not necessarily depend onan intact host immune system. Examples of effector cells include Tlymphocytes (such as CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD4+ T-helperlymphocytes), and antigen-presenting cells (such as dendritic cells andmacrophages). T cell receptors specific for the peptides recited hereinmay be cloned, expressed and transferred into other effector cells foradoptive immunotherapy.

As noted above, immunoreactive peptides as provided herein may be usedto rapidly expand antigen-specific T cell cultures in order to generatea sufficient number of cells for immunotherapy. In particular,antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages,monocytes, fibroblasts and/or B cells, may be pulsed with immunoreactivepeptides or transfected with one or more nucleic acids using standardtechniques well known in the art. Cultured effector cells for use intherapy must be able to grow and distribute widely, and to survive longterm in vivo. Studies have shown that cultured effector cells can beinduced to grow in vivo and to survive long term in substantial numbersby repeated stimulation with antigen supplemented with IL-2 (see, forexample, Cheever et al. (1997), Immunological Reviews 157, 177.

Alternatively, a nucleic acid expressing a peptide recited herein may beintroduced into antigen-presenting cells taken from a patient andclonally propagated ex vivo for transplant back into the same patient.

Transfected cells may be reintroduced into the patient using any meansknown in the art, preferably in sterile form by intravenous,intracavitary, intraperitoneal or intratumor administration.

Methods disclosed herein may involve the administration of autologous Tcells that have been activated in response to a peptide orpeptide-expressing antigen presenting cell. Such T cells may be CD4+and/or CD8+, and may be proliferated as described above. The T cells maybe administered to the subject in an amount effective to inhibit thedevelopment of a disease.

The agents and compositions provided herein may be used alone or incombination with conventional therapeutic regimens such as surgery,irradiation, chemotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation(autologous, syngeneic, allogeneic or unrelated).

The term “immunization” or “vaccination” describes the process oftreating a subject with the purpose of inducing an immune response fortherapeutic or prophylactic reasons.

The term “in vivo” relates to the situation in a subject.

The terms “subject”, “individual”, “organism” or “patient” are usedinterchangeably and relate to vertebrates, preferably mammals. Forexample, mammals in the context of the present invention are humans,non-human primates, domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, sheep,cattle, goats, pigs, horses etc., laboratory animals such as mice, rats,rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. as well as animals in captivity such asanimals of zoos. The term “animal” as used herein also includes humans.The term “subject” may also include a patient, i.e., an animal,preferably a human having a disease, preferably a disease as describedherein.

The term “autologous” is used to describe anything that is derived fromthe same subject. For example, “autologous transplant” refers to atransplant of tissue or organs derived from the same subject. Suchprocedures are advantageous because they overcome the immunologicalbarrier which otherwise results in rejection.

The term “heterologous” is used to describe something consisting ofmultiple different elements. As an example, the transfer of oneindividual's bone marrow into a different individual constitutes aheterologous transplant. A heterologous gene is a gene derived from asource other than the subject.

As part of the composition for an immunization or a vaccination,preferably one or more agents as described herein are administeredtogether with one or more adjuvants for inducing an immune response orfor increasing an immune response. The term “adjuvant” relates tocompounds which prolongs or enhances or accelerates an immune response.The composition of the present invention preferably exerts its effectwithout addition of adjuvants. Still, the composition of the presentapplication may contain any known adjuvant. Adjuvants comprise aheterogeneous group of compounds such as oil emulsions (e.g., Freund'sadjuvants), mineral compounds (such as alum), bacterial products (suchas Bordetella pertussis toxin), liposomes, and immune-stimulatingcomplexes. Examples for adjuvants are monophosphoryl-lipid-A (MPLSmithKline Beecham). Saponins such as QS21 (SmithKline Beecham), DQS21(SmithKline Beecham; WO 96/33739), QS7, QS17, QS18, and QS-L1 (So etal., 1997, Mol. Cells 7: 178-186), incomplete Freund's adjuvants,complete Freund's adjuvants, vitamin E, montanid, alum, CpGoligonucleotides (Krieg et al., 1995, Nature 374: 546-549), and variouswater-in-oil emulsions which are prepared from biologically degradableoils such as squalene and/or tocopherol.

According to the invention, a “sample” may be any sample usefulaccording to the present invention, in particular a biological samplesuch a tissue sample, including body fluids, and/or a cellular sampleand may be obtained in the conventional manner such as by tissue biopsy,including punch biopsy, and by taking blood, bronchial aspirate, sputum,urine, feces or other body fluids. According to the invention, the term“sample” also includes processed samples such as fractions or isolatesof biological samples, e.g. nucleic acid and peptide/protein isolates.

Other substances which stimulate an immune response of the patient mayalso be administered. It is possible, for example, to use cytokines in avaccination, owing to their regulatory properties on lymphocytes. Suchcytokines comprise, for example, interleukin-12 (IL-12) which was shownto increase the protective actions of vaccines (cf. Science268:1432-1434, 1995), GM-CSF and IL-18.

There are a number of compounds which enhance an immune response andwhich therefore may be used in a vaccination. Said compounds compriseco-stimulating molecules provided in the form of proteins or nucleicacids such as B7-1 and B7-2 (CD80 and CD86, respectively).

The therapeutically active agents described herein may be administeredvia any conventional route, including by injection or infusion. Theadministration may be carried out, for example, orally, intravenously,intraperitonealy, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or transdermally.

The agents described herein are administered in effective amounts. An“effective amount” refers to the amount which achieves a desiredreaction or a desired effect alone or together with further doses. Inthe case of treatment of a particular disease or of a particularcondition, the desired reaction preferably relates to inhibition of thecourse of the disease. This comprises slowing down the progress of thedisease and, in particular, interrupting or reversing the progress ofthe disease. The desired reaction in a treatment of a disease or of acondition may also be delay of the onset or a prevention of the onset ofsaid disease or said condition.

An effective amount of an agent described herein will depend on thecondition to be treated, the severeness of the disease, the individualparameters of the patient, including age, physiological condition, sizeand weight, the duration of treatment, the type of an accompanyingtherapy (if present), the specific route of administration and similarfactors. Accordingly, the doses administered of the agents describedherein may depend on various of such parameters. In the case that areaction in a patient is insufficient with an initial dose, higher doses(or effectively higher doses achieved by a different, more localizedroute of administration) may be used.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are preferably sterileand contain an effective amount of the therapeutically active substanceto generate the desired reaction or the desired effect.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are generallyadministered in pharmaceutically compatible amounts and inpharmaceutically compatible preparation. The term “pharmaceuticallycompatible” refers to a nontoxic material which does not interact withthe action of the active component of the pharmaceutical composition.Preparations of this kind may usually contain salts, buffer substances,preservatives, carriers, supplementing immunity-enhancing substancessuch as adjuvants, e.g. CpG oligonucleotides, cytokines, chemokines,saponin, GM-CSF and/or RNA and, where appropriate, other therapeuticallyactive compounds. When used in medicine, the salts should bepharmaceutically compatible. However, salts which are notpharmaceutically compatible may used for preparing pharmaceuticallycompatible salts and are included in the invention. Pharmacologicallyand pharmaceutically compatible salts of this kind comprise in anonlimiting way those prepared from the following acids: hydrochloric,hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, maleic, acetic, salicylic,citric, formic, malonic, succinic acids, and the like. Pharmaceuticallycompatible salts may also be prepared as alkali metal salts or alkalineearth metal salts, such as sodium salts, potassium salts or calciumsalts.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may comprise apharmaceutically compatible carrier. The term “carrier” refers to anorganic or inorganic component, of a natural or synthetic nature, inwhich the active component is combined in order to facilitateapplication. According to the invention, the term “pharmaceuticallycompatible carrier” includes one or more compatible solid or liquidfillers, diluents or encapsulating substances, which are suitable foradministration to a patient. The components of the pharmaceuticalcomposition of the invention are usually such that no interaction occurswhich substantially impairs the desired pharmaceutical efficacy.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may contain suitablebuffer substances such as acetic acid in a salt, citric acid in a salt,boric acid in a salt and phosphoric acid in a salt.

The pharmaceutical compositions may, where appropriate, also containsuitable preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol,paraben and thimerosal.

The pharmaceutical compositions are usually provided in a uniform dosageform and may be prepared in a manner known per se. Pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention may be in the form of capsules, tablets,lozenges, solutions, suspensions, syrups, elixirs or in the form of anemulsion, for example.

Compositions suitable for parenteral administration usually comprise asterile aqueous or nonaqueous preparation of the active compound, whichis preferably isotonic to the blood of the recipient. Examples ofcompatible carriers and solvents are Ringer solution and isotonic sodiumchloride solution. In addition, usually sterile, fixed oils are used assolution or suspension medium.

The present invention is described in detail by the figures and examplesbelow, which are used only for illustration purposes and are not meantto be limiting. Owing to the description and the examples, furtherembodiments which are likewise included in the invention are accessibleto the skilled worker.

FIGURES

FIG. 1: Representation of the TCR-CD3 complex. The intracytoplasmic CD3immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) are indicated ascylinders (adapted from “The T cell receptor facts book”, M P Lefranc, GLefranc, 2001).

FIG. 2. Technology platform for TCR isolation/validation. The approachintegrates all steps from isolation of antigen-specific T cells (top) toTCR cloning (middle) and TCR validation (bottom). Patients are screenedfor autoantibody responses against the antigen of interest by CrELISA(Crude lysate Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). Antigen-specific Tcells from seropositive donors are stimulated with peptide or RNA loadedautologous DCs and IFNγ secreting CD8+ or CD4+ T cells are isolated byflow cytometry (top). Single cells are harvested in multiwell-plates andsubjected to first-strand cDNA synthesis and enrichment by a global PCRamplification step. TCR α/β variable regions are cloned into vectors forin vitro transcription (IVT) containing the constant region cassettes(middle). TCR α/β chain RNAs are transferred into CD4+ or CD8+ T cells,cocultured with APCs expressing the appropriate antigen and HLAmolecules and tested for functional reprogramming of engineered T cells(bottom).

FIG. 3. Flow cytometric sorting of pp65-specific CD8⁺ T cells from aCMV-seropositive donor after one week of expansion. IFNg secreting CD⁸⁺T cells were isolated after rechallenge with autologous pp65RNA-transfected iDCs. Control: iDCs transfected with eGFP RNA.

FIG. 4. Verification of TCR surface expression on TCR-transfected SupT1cells analyzed by flow cytometry. SupT1 cells electroporated with TCRα/β chain RNAs were stained with a pan TCR antibody and analyzed by flowcytometry. SupT1 cells electroporated without RNA served as a negativecontrol.

FIG. 5. Specificity testing of TCRs obtained from CMV-pp65-specific CD8+T cells of a CMV seropositive donor after in vitro expansion byIFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-engineered IVSB cells were tested on antigen-loadedautologous iDCs and K562-A*0201 cells for specific recognition of pp65peptide pool, pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃ or pp65 IVT RNA. Partially overlappingpeptides derived from TPTE were used as control peptide pool andSSX-2₂₄₁₋₂₄₉ was used as single peptide control. The tyrosinase derivedTyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆ epitope was applied as a positive control. Control TCR: TCRcloned from a CMV seronegative donor.

FIG. 6. Determination of HLA restriction and peptide specificity ofTCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transgenic IVSB cells were analyzedfor recognition of K562 cells expressing selected HLA class I alleles ofthe donor pulsed with pp65 overlapping peptides or without antigen as acontrol. K562-B*3501 cells were subsequently used to analyzeTCR_(CD8)-CMV#1-mediated recognition of individual 15-mer peptidesderived from CMV-pp65.

FIG. 7. Specificity testing of TCRs cloned from ex vivo isolatedCMV-pp65-specific CD8+ T cells of a CMV seropositive donor byIFNγ-ELISPOT. IVSB cells were transfected with TCR α/β chain RNAs andstimulated with K562-A*0201 pulsed with pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃. The unrelatedpeptide SSX-2₂₄₁₋₂₄₉ and a TCR cloned from a CMV-seronegative donorserved as negative, the tyrosinase derived Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆ epitope served aspositive control.

FIG. 8. Specific killing of target cells by TCR-transfected T cellsanalyzed by luciferase cytotoxicity assay. Peptide-pulsed K562 targetcells expressing the appropriate HLA allelotype were used as targets forIVSB cells engineered with CMV-pp65-specific TCRs. As a reference,killing of Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆-pulsed target cells mediated by the endogenousreceptor was analyzed. A TCR obtained from a CMV seronegative donor wasused as control to exclude unspecific lysis. E:T: effector-to-targetratio.

FIG. 9. Specificity testing of TCRs isolated from NY-ESO-1-specific CD8⁺T cells by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR_(CD8)-NY#2 and -#5 were transferred intoIVSB cells and tested for recognition of autologous iDCs loaded withNY-ESO-1 RNA or peptide pool. Negative controls: iDCs pulsed with TPTEpeptide pool; a control TCR isolated from a healthy donor. Positivecontrol: Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆-pulsed K562-A*0201.

FIG. 10. Identification of HLA restricting elements forNY-ESO-1-specific TCRs by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-engineered IVSB cells wereanalyzed by IFNg-ELISPOT for recognition of K562 cells transfected withindividual HLA class I alleles of the donor and pulsed with NY-ESO-1peptide pool. Negative controls: HIV-gag peptide pool; K562electroporated without HLA RNA (mock). Positive control: Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆peptide.

FIG. 11: Identification of 15mer peptides recognized byNY-ESO-1-specific TCRs by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected IVSB T cellswere analyzed for recognition of K562 cells expressing the appropriateHLA class I allele and pulsed with individual partially overlapping15-mers derived from NY-ESO-1.

FIG. 12. Epitope mapping for NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs by IFNγ-ELISPOT.IVSB cells transfected with TCR_(CD8)-NY#5, #6, #8 or #15 were analyzedfor recognition of K562-B*3508 cells pulsed with individual nonamerpeptides covering amino acids 77-107 of the NY-ESO-1 protein.

FIG. 13. Specific killing of target cells mediated by TCR_(CD8)-NY#2analyzed by luciferase cytotoxicity assay. Specific lysis of K562-A*6801cells pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide pool by TCR_(CD8)-NY#2-transfectedIVSB cells was analyzed using different effector-to-target ratios (E:T).Control: target cells pulsed with TPTE peptide pool.

FIG. 14: Determination of HLA restriction elements for NY-ESO-1-specificTCRs obtained from CD4+ T cells by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected CD4+ Tcells were analyzed for recognition of K562 expressing individual HLAclass II alleles of the patient pulsed with peptide pools of eitherNY-ESO-1 or HIV-gag as a negative control.

FIG. 15. Epitope mapping for TCR_(CD4)-NY#5 by IFNγ-ELISPOT.TCR-engineered CD4+ T cells were tested for recognition of K562 cellsexpressing the appropriate HLA class II allele and pulsed with partiallyoverlapping 15-mers representing the NY-ESO-1 protein.

FIG. 16. Determination of HLA restriction and peptide specificity ofTCR_(CD8)-TPT#3 by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected IVSB cells wereanalyzed for recognition of K562 cells expressing HLA class I moleculesof the patient pulsed with TPTE peptide pool (top). K562-B*3501 cellspulsed with individual 15mer representing the whole antigen (middle) and9-mer peptides covering amino acids 521-535 of TPTE (bottom) were usedto define the epitope recognized by TCR_(CD8)-TPT#3. Anchor amino acidsof the recognized epitope for binding to HLA B*3501 are shown in bold.

FIG. 17. Determination of HLA restriction elements for TPTE-specificTCRs isolated from CD4+ T cells by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected CD4+ Tcells were analyzed for recognition of K562 cells transfected with HLAclass II alleles of the patient and pulsed with overlapping peptidescorresponding to TPTE or HIV-gag as a control.

FIG. 18. Epitope mapping for TPTE-specific TCRs isolated from CD4+ Tcells by IFNγ-ELISPOT. Epitope locations of TCRs were determined usingTCR-transfected CD4+ T cells in combination with K562 cells transfectedwith the appropriate HLA class II antigen and pulsed with individualpartially overlapping 15-mer peptides covering the TPTE protein.

FIG. 19. Flow cytometric sorting of PLAC1-specific CD8+ T cells obtainedfrom immunized mice. Spleen cells of PLAC1-immunized HLAA*0201-transgenic mice (A2.1/DR1 mice) were pulsed with overlappingpeptides corresponding to PLAC1 or a control antigen (WT1). 24 h latercells were harvested, stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodiesand CD3+/CD8+/CD137+ cells were isolated. Histogram plots were gated onCD3+/CD8+ cells. M1-5: PLAC1-immunized mice; Con1-3: control mice.

FIG. 20. Specificity testing of TCRs cloned from CD8+ T cells ofPLAC1-immunized mice by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-engineered IVSB cells weretested for recognition of K562-A*0201 cells pulsed with overlappingpeptides corresponding to PLAC1 or NY-ESO-1 as a control antigen. As apositive control, IFNγ secretion in response to Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆-pulsed targetcells was analyzed.

FIG. 21. Determination of peptide specificity of TCR_(CD8)-Pl#8 byIFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected CD8+ T cells were tested for specificrecognition of K562-A*0201 cells pulsed with individual partiallyoverlapping 15-mer peptides covering the PLAC1 protein.

FIG. 22. Definition of A*0201-restricted immunodominant epitopesrecognized by PLAC1-specific TCRs by IFNγ-ELISPOT. TCR-transfected IVSBcells were analyzed for recognition of K562-A*0201 cells pulsed withindividual 9-mer peptides covering amino acids 25-43 of PLAC1 to definethe epitope recognized by TCR_(CD8)-Pl#11. Recognized peptides are shownin bold. Positive control: PLAC1 15-mer peptide 7.

EXAMPLES

The techniques and methods used herein are described herein or carriedout in a manner known per se and as described, for example, in Sambrooket al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition (1989)Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Allmethods including the use of kits and reagents are carried out accordingto the manufacturers' information unless specifically indicated.

Example 1: Materials and Methods

Serotyping

An ELISA based on crude lysates of bacteria (CrELISA or Crude LysateEnzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) expressing either full lengthNY-ESO-1 or the N-terminus of TPTE (amino acids 1-51) was used accordingto a previously described protocol for determination of IgGautoantibodies (Tureci, O. et al. (2004), J. Immunol. Methods 289,191-199).

CMV-seropositivity was analyzed by a standard ELISA detecting polyclonalCMV-specific IgG responses.

Cell Lines and Reagents

The human lymphoma cell lines SupT1 (ATCC no. CRL-1942) or Jurkat76(Heemskerk, M. H. et al. (2003), Blood 102, 3530-3540), both lackingsurface expression of endogenous TCR, the mouse embryonic fibroblastcell line NIH3T3 (DSMZ no. ACC 59) and the human chronic myeloidleukemia cell line K562 (Lozzio, C. B. & Lozzio, B. B (1975), Blood 45,321-334) were cultured under standard conditions. K562 cells transientlyor stably transfected with HLA allelotypes (Britten, C. M. et al.(2002), J. Immunol. Methods 259, 95-110) (referred to e.g. asK562-A*0201) were used for validation assays. The primary human newbornforeskin fibroblast cell line CCD-1079Sk (ATCC No. CRL-2097) wascultured according to the manufacturers' instructions. The monospecificCTL cell line IVSB specific for the HLA A*0201 restrictedtyrosinase-derived epitope Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆ (Wolfel, T. et al. (1993), Int. J.Cancer 55, 237-244; Wolfel, T. et al. (1994) Eur. J. Immunol. 24,759-764) was cultured in AIM-V medium (Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany)with 10% human AB serum (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland), 350 IU/ml IL-2(Richter-Helm BioLogics, Hamburg, Germany), 5 ng/mL IL-7 (PeproTech,Frankfurt, Germany) and 10 ng/ml IL-15 (R&D Systems,Wiesbaden-Nordenstadt, Germany) and stimulated weekly with irradiatedSK29-Mel and AK-EBV cells.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs), Monocytes and DendriticCells (DCs)

PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque (Amersham Biosciences, Uppsala,Sweden) density gradient centrifugation from buffy coats or from bloodsamples. HLA allelotypes were determined by PCR standard methods.Monocytes were enriched with anti-CD14 microbeads (Miltenyi Biotech,Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany). Immature DCs (iDCs) were obtained bydifferentiating monocytes for 5 days in cytokine-supplemented culturemedium as described in Kreiter et al. (2007), Cancer Immunol.Immunother., CII, 56, 1577-87.

Peptides and Peptide Pulsing of Stimulator Cells

Pools of N- and C-terminally free 15-mer peptides with 11 amino acidoverlaps corresponding to sequences of CMV-pp65, HIV-gag, TPTE, NY-ESO-Ior PLAC1 (referred to as antigen peptide pool) were synthesized bystandard solid phase chemistry (JPT GmbH, Berlin, Germany) and dissolvedin DMSO to a final concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Nonamer peptides werereconstituted in PBS 10% DMSO. For pulsing stimulator cells wereincubated for 1 h at 37° C. in culture medium using different peptideconcentrations.

Vectors for In Vitro Transcription (IVT) of RNA

All constructs are variants of the previously describedpST1-sec-insert-2βgUTR-A(120)-Sap1 plasmid (Holtkamp, S. et al. (2006),Blood 108, 4009-4017). To obtain plasmids encoding human TCR chains,cDNA coding for TCR-α or TCR-ß₁ and TCR-β₂ constant regions wereamplified from human CD8+ T cells and cloned into this backbone. Forgeneration of plasmids encoding murine TCR chains, cDNAs coding forTCR-α, -β₁ and -β₂ constant regions were ordered from a commercialprovider and cloned analogously (GenBank accession numbers M14506,M64239 and X67127, respectively). Specific V(D)J PCR products wereintroduced into such cassettes to yield full-length TCR chains (referredto as pST1-human/murineTCRαβ-2ßgUTR-A(120)).

Analogously, individual HLA class I and II alleles cloned from PBMCs ofdonors and beta-2-microgobulin (B2M) cDNA from human DCs were insertedinto this backbone (referred to as pST1-HLA class I/II-2ßgUTR-A(120) andpST1-B2M-2ßgUTR-A(120)).

Plasmids coding for pp65 antigen of CMV(pST1-sec-pp65-MITD-2ßgUTR-A(120)) and NY-ESO-I(pST1-sec-NY-ESO-1-MITD-2ßgUTR-A(120)) linked to a secretion signal(sec) and the MHC class I trafficking signal (MITD) were describedpreviously (Kreiter, S. et al. (2008), J. Immunol. 180, 309-318). PLAC1encoding plasmid pST1-sec-PLAC1-MITD-2ßgUTR-A(120) was generated bycloning a cDNA obtained from a commercial provider (GenBank accessionnumber NM_021796) into the Kreiter et al. backbone. TPTE encodingplasmids pST1-αgUTR-TPTE-2ßgUTR-A(120) andpST1-αgUTR-TPTE-MITD-2ßgUTR-A(120) were generated by cloning a cDNAobtained from a commercial provider (GenBank accession number AF007118)into a variant of the Holtkamp et al. vector featuring an additionalalpha-globin 5′-untranslated region.

Primers were purchased from Operon Biotechnologies, Cologne, Germany.

Generation of In Vitro Transcribed (IVT) RNA and Transfer into Cells

Generation of IVT RNA was performed as described previously (Holtkamp,S. et al. (2006), Blood 108, 4009-4017) and added to cells suspended inX-VIVO 15 medium (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland) in a pre-cooled 4-mm gapsterile electroporation cuvette (Bio-Rad Laboratories GmbH, Munich,Germany). Electroporation was performed with a Gene-Pulser-II apparatus(Bio-Rad Laboratories GmbH, Munich, Germany) (T cells: 450 V/250 μF;IVSB T cells: 350 V/200 μF; SupT1 (ATCC No. CRL-1942): 300 V/200 μF;human DC: 300 V/150 μF; K562: 200 V/300 μF).

In Vitro Expansion of Antigen-Specific T Cells

2.5×10⁶ PBMCs/well were seeded in 24-well plates, pulsed with peptidepool and cultured for 1 week in complete culture medium supplementedwith 5% AB serum, 10 U/ml IL-2 and 5 ng/ml IL-7. For some experimentsCD8+ or CD4+ T cells were purified from PBMC by positive magnetic cellsorting (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany) and then expandedby coculturing of 2×10⁶ effectors with 3×10⁵ autologous DCs eitherelectroporated with antigen-encoding RNA or pulsed with the overlappingpeptide pool for 1 week in complete medium supplemented with 5% ABserum, 10 U/ml IL-2, and 5 ng/ml IL-7.

Single-Cell Sorting of Antigen-Specific CD8+ or CD4+ T Cells after IFNγSecretion Assay

Flow cytometric sorting of single antigen-specific CD8+ or CD4+ T cellswas conducted either directly ex vivo from freshly isolated T cells orPBMC or after one week of antigen-specific expansion. 2×10⁶ T cells orPBMC were stimulated with 3×10⁵ autologous DCs loaded with peptide poolor transfected with IVT RNA encoding the respective antigen or a controlantigen for 4 to 15 hours depending on the stimulation mode. Cells wereharvested, treated with a Phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-IFNγantibody, a Fluoresceinisothiocyanat (FITC)-conjugated anti-CD8 and anAllophycocyanin (APC)-conjugated anti-CD4 antibody according to the IFNγsecretion assay kit (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany).Sorting was conducted on a BD FACS Aria flow cytometer (BD Biosciences,Heidelberg, Germany). Cells double-positive for IFNγ and CD8 or CD4 weresorted and one cell per well was harvested in a 96-well V-bottom-plate(Greiner Bio-One GmbH, Solingen, Germany) containing NIH3T3 mousefibroblasts as feeder cells, centrifuged at 4° C. and stored immediatelyat −80° C.

In Vivo Priming of T Cells by Intranodal Immunization of HLA A2.1/DR1Mice with IVT RNA

T cells of A2.1/DR1 mice (Pajot A. et al. (2004), Eur. J. Immunol. 34,3060-69) were primed in vivo against the antigen of interest byrepetitive intranodal immunization using antigen-encoding IVT RNA(Kreiter S. et al. (2010), Cancer Research 70, 9031-40). For intranodalimmunizations, mice were anesthetized with xylazine/ketamine. Theinguinal lymph node was surgically exposed, 10 μL RNA (20 g) diluted inRinger's solution and Rnase-free water were injected slowly using asingle-use 0.3-ml syringe with an ultrafine needle (31G, BDBiosciences), and the wound was closed. After six immunization cyclesthe mice were sacrificed and spleen cells were isolated.

Harvest of Spleen Cells

Following their dissection under sterile conditions, the spleens weretransferred to PBS containing falcon tubes. The spleens weremechanically disrupted with forceps and the cell suspensions wereobtained with a cell strainer (40 μm). The splenocytes were washed withPBS centrifuged and resuspended in a hypotonic buffer for lysis of theerythrocytes. After 5 min incubation at RT, the reaction was stopped byadding 20-30 ml medium or PBS. The spleen cells were centrifuged andwashed twice with PBS.

Single-Cell Sorting of Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cells after CD137Staining

For antigen-specific restimulation 2.5×10^6/well spleen cells fromimmunized A2.1/DR1 mice were seeded in a 24-well plate and pulsed with apool of overlapping peptides encoding the antigen of interest or acontrol antigen. After 24 h incubation cells were harvested, stainedwith a FITC-conjugated anti-CD3 antibody, a PE-conjugated anti-CD4antibody, a PerCP-Cy5.5-conjugated anti-CD8 antibody and aDylight-649-conjugated anti-CD137 antibody. Sorting was conducted on aBD FACS Aria flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). Cells positive for CD137,CD3 and CD8 or CD4 were sorted, one cell per well was harvested in a96-well V-bottom-plate (Greiner Bio-One) containing human CCD-1079Skcells as feeder cells, centrifuged at 4° C. and stored immediately at−80° C.

RNA Extraction, SMART-Based cDNA Synthesis and Unspecific Amplificationfrom Sorted Cells

RNA from sorted T cells was extracted with the RNeasy Micro Kit (Qiagen,Hilden, Germany) according to the instructions of the supplier. Amodified BD SMART protocol was used for cDNA synthesis: BD PowerScriptReverse Transcriptase (BD Clontech, Mountain View, Calif.) was combinedwith oligo(dT)-T-primer long for priming of the first-strand synthesisreaction and TS-short (Eurogentec S. A., Seraing, Belgium) introducingan oligo(riboG) sequence to allow for creation of an extended templateby the terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase andfor template switch (Matz, M. et al. (1999) Nucleic Acids Res. 27,1558-1560). First strand cDNA synthesized according to themanufacturer's instructions was subjected to 21 cycles of amplificationwith 5 U PfuUltra Hotstart High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) and 0.48 μM primer TS-PCR primer in the presence of 200μM dNTP (cycling conditions: 2 min at 95° C. for, 30 s at 94° C., 30 sat 65° C., 1 min at 72° C. for, final extension of 6 min at 72° C.).Successful amplification of TCR genes was controlled with either humanor murine TCR-β constant region specific primers and consecutiveclonotype-specific human or murine Vα-/Vß-PCRs were only performed ifstrong bands were detected.

First strand cDNA for the amplification of HLA class I or II sequenceswas synthesized with SuperScriptII Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen)and Oligo(dT) primer with 1-5 μg RNA extracted from patient-derivedPBMCs.

Design of PCR Primers for TCR and HLA Amplification

For design of human TCR consensus primers, all 67 TCR-VB and 54 TCR-Vαgenes (open reading frames and pseudogenes) as listed in theImMunoGeneTics (IMGT) database (http://www.imgt.org) together with theircorresponding leader sequences were aligned with the BioEdit SequenceAlignment Editor (e.g. http://www.bio-soft.net). Forward primers of 24to 27 bp length with a maximum of 3 degenerated bases, a GC-contentbetween 40-60% and a G or C at the 3′ end were designed to anneal to asmany leader sequences as possible and equipped with a 15 bp 5′ extensionfeaturing a rare restriction enzyme site and Kozak sequence. Reverseprimers were designed to anneal to the first exons of the constantregion genes, with primer TRACex1_as binding to sequences correspondingto amino acids 7 to 16 of Cα and TRBCex1_as to amino acids (aa) 8 to 16in Cß1 and Cß2. Both oligonucleotides were synthesized with a 5′phosphate. Primers were bundled in pools of 2-5 forward oligos withidentical annealing temperature.

This strategy was replicated for the design of murine TCR consensusprimers, aligning 129 listed TCR-Vα and 35 listed TCR-Vβ genes. Reverseprimers mTRACex1_as and mTRBCex1_as are homologous to sequencescorresponding to aa 24 to 31 and 8 to 15, respectively.

HLA consensus primers were designed by aligning all HLA class I and IIsequences listed on the Anthony Nolan Research Institute website(www.anthonynolan.com) with the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor.Forward primers of 23 to 27 bp length with a maximum of 3 degeneratedbut code-preserving bases annealing to as many as possible HLA sequencesof one locus were equipped with a 5′-phosphate and Kozak sequenceextension. Reverse primers were designed analogously but withoutintroduction of wobble bases and equipped with a 14 bp 5′-extensionencoding an AsiSI restriction enzyme site.

PCR Amplification and Cloning of V(D)J and HLA Sequences

3-6 μl of preamplified cDNA from isolated T cells was subjected to 40cycles of PCR in the presence of 0.6 μM Vα-/Vß-specific oligo pool, 0.6μM Cα- or Cß-oligo, 200 μM dNTP and 5 U Pfu polymerase (cyclingconditions: 2 min at 95° C., 30 s at 94° C., 30 s annealing temperature,1 min at 72° C., final extension time of 6 min at 72° C.). PCR productswere analyzed using Qiagen's capillary electrophoresis system. Sampleswith bands at 400-500 bp were size fractioned on agarose gels, the bandsexcised and purified using a Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Hilden,Germany). Sequence analysis was performed to reveal the sequence of boththe V(D)J domain and β constant region, as TRBCex1_as and mTRBCex1_asprimer, respectively, match to both TCR constant region genes β1 and β2in human and mouse, respectively. DNA was digested and cloned into theIVT vectors containing the appropriate backbone for a complete TCR-α/βchain.

HLA sequences were amplified according to the manufacturer'sinstructions with 2.5 U Pfu polymerase from donor specific cDNA usingspecific HLA class I or II sense and antisense primers. As transcriptionof DRB3 genes is at least five fold lower than that of DRB1 genes(Berdoz, J. et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139, 1336-1341), amplification ofDRB3 genes was conducted in two steps using a nested PCR approach. PCRfragments were purified, AsiSI-digested and cloned into the EcoRV- andAsiSI-digested IVT vector. EciI- or SapI-sites within the inserts weremutated using QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kits (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.).

Flow Cytometric Analyses

Cell surface expression of transfected TCR genes was analyzed by flowcytometry using PE-conjugated anti-TCR antibody against the appropriatevariable region family or the constant region of the TCR β chain(Beckman Coulter Inc., Fullerton, USA) and FITC-/APC-labeledanti-CD8/−CD4 antibodies (BD Biosciences). HLA antigens were detected bystaining with FITC-labeled HLA class II-specific (Beckman Coulter Inc.,Fullerton, USA) and PE-labeled HLA class I-specific antibodies (BDBiosciences). Flow cytometric analysis was performed on a FACS Caliburanalytical flow cytometer using Cellquest-Pro software (BD Biosciences).

Luciferase Cytotoxicity Assay

For assessment of cell-mediated cytotoxicity a bioluminescence-basedassay was established as an alternative and optimization to ⁵¹Crrelease. In contrast to the standard chromium release assay, this assaymeasures lytic activity of effector cells by calculating the number ofviable luciferase expressing target cells following coincubation. Thetarget cells were stably or transiently transfected with the luciferasegene coding for the firefly luciferase from firefly Photinus pyralis (EC1.13.12.7). Luciferase is an enzyme catalyzing the oxidation ofluciferin. The reaction is ATP-dependent and takes place in two steps:luciferin+ATP→luciferyl adenylate+PP_(i)luciferyl adenylate+O₂→oxyluciferin+AMP+light

Target cells were plated at a concentration of 10⁴ cells per well inwhite 96-well plates (Nunc, Wiesbaden, Germany) and were cocultivatedwith varying numbers of TCR-transfected T cells in a final volume of 100μl. 3 h later 50 μl of a D-Luciferin (BD Biosciences) containingreaction mix (Luciferin (1 μg/μl), HEPES-buffer (50 mM, pH), Adenosine5′-triphosphatase (ATPase, 0.4 mU/μl, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA) wasadded to the cells. By addition of ATPase to the reaction mixluminescence resulting from luciferase released from dead cells wasdiminished.

After a total incubation time of 4 h bioluminescence emitted by viablecells was measured using the Tecan Infinite 200 reader (Tecan,Crailsheim, Germany). Cell-killing activity was calculated in regard toluminescence values obtained after complete cell lysis induced by theaddition of 2% Triton-X 100 and in relationship to luminescence emittedby target cells alone. Data output was in counts per second (CPS) andpercent specific lysis was calculated as follows:(1−(CPS_(exp)−CPS_(min))/(CPS_(max)−CPS_(min))))*100.

Maximum luminescence (maximum counts per second, CPSmax) was assessedafter incubating target cells without effectors and minimalluminescences (CPSmin) was assessed after treatment of targets withdetergent Triton-X-100 for complete lysis.

ELISPOT (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSPOT Assay)

Microtiter plates (Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) were coated overnightat room temperature with an anti-IFNγ antibody 1-D1k (Mabtech,Stockholm, Sweden) and blocked with 2% human albumin (CSL Behring,Marburg, Germany). 2-5×10⁴/well antigen presenting stimulator cells wereplated in triplicates together with 0.3-3×10⁵/well TCR-transfected CD4+or CD8+ effector cells 24 h after electroporation. The plates wereincubated overnight (37° C., 5% CO₂), washed with PBS 0.05% Tween 20,and incubated for 2 hours with the anti-IFNγ biotinylated mAB 7-B6-1(Mabtech) at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml at 37° C. Avidin-boundhorseradish peroxidase H (Vectastain Elite Kit; Vector Laboratories,Burlingame, USA) was added to the wells, incubated for 1 hour at roomtemperature and developed with 3-amino-9-ethyl carbazole (Sigma,Deisenhofen, Germany).

Example 2: Isolation of TCRs Specific for the Viral Antigen CMV-Pp65

The TCR isolation/validation protocol (FIG. 2) was' established usingthe human cytomegalovirus (CMV)-phosphoprotein 65 (CMV-pp65, pp65, 65kDa lower matrix phosphoprotein, UL83) as a model antigen, that is knownto induce high frequencies of antigen-specific T cells in the peripheralblood of healthy donors.

CMV is a ubiquitous β-herpesvirus infecting the host via body fluidssuch as blood or saliva. In healthy individuals primary CMV infectionand reactivation of endogenous latent viruses is controlled by theimmune system, while in immunocompromised individuals such as transplantrecipients or AIDS patients it results in significant morbidity andmortality.

The viral tegument protein pp65 is one of the major targets ofCMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are present in highfrequencies in the peripheral blood of non-immunocompromisedseropositive individuals (Kern, F. et al. (1999), J. Virol. 73,8179-8184; Wills, M. R. et al. (1996), J. Virol. 70, 7569-7579;Laughlin-Taylor, E. et al. (1994), J. Med. Virol. 43, 103-110).

CMV-pp65-specific IFNγ secreting CD8+ T cells of a seropositive healthydonor were isolated by flow cytometry after one week of antigen-specificexpansion and rechallenge with autologous DCs transfected with IVT RNAencoding the whole pp65 antigen (FIG. 2 top, FIG. 3).

TCR α/β variable regions were amplified from single T cells using a setof sequence-specific, partially degenerated oligonucleotides.Amplification products were cloned site-directed into vectors containingthe TCR α/β constant regions providing full-length templates for instantin vitro transcription (FIG. 2 middle).

For verification of cell surface expression TCR α/β RNAs weretransferred into SupT1 cells otherwise lacking expression of endogenousTCR chains and analyzed by flow cytometry (FIG. 4).

For functional validation of cloned TCRs, the monospecific T cell lineIVSB recognizing the tyrosinase-derived epitope Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆ (Wölfel T. etal. (1994), Eur. J. Immunol 24, 759-64) was transfected with TCR RNA andanalyzed for specific cytokine secretion in response to pp65 antigen byIFNγ-ELISPOT (FIG. 2 bottom, FIG. 5). As the TCRs were generated bystimulation with whole antigen, they were evaluated for mediatingspecific recognition of autologous DCs either pulsed with pp65 peptidepool or pp65 encoding IVT RNA. An unrelated TPTE peptide pool was usedas a control. TCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 and TCR_(CD8)-CMV#4 both specificallyrecognized pp65 expressing target cells compared to a control TCRisolated from a CMV seronegative donor.

To determine the HLA restricting element, IVSB cells transfected withTCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 were analyzed for specific IFNγ secretion afterco-culture with peptide-pulsed K562 cells expressing selected HLAalleles of the patient (FIG. 6 top). HLA B*3501 was identified asrestriction element. Analysis of individual 15-mers of the pp65 peptidepool revealed recognition of peptides P30, P31 and P32, with reactivitydecreasing gradually (FIG. 6 bottom). This localized the epitoperecognized by TCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 within the region of amino acids 117-131of pp65 suggesting its identity with the previously reported and highlyimmunogenic HLA-B*3501-restricted epitope CMV-pp65₁₂₃₋₁₃₁ (Seq.IPSINVHHY) (Gavin, M. A. et al. (1993), J. Immunol. 151, 3971-3980).

After successful isolation of TCRs from pp65-specific CD8+ T cellsexpanded in vitro to a high frequency, the TCR isolation protocol wasapplied to ex vivo sorted T cells present with lower frequencies.

CD8+ T cells magnetically purified from PBMCs of an HLA A*0201 positivedonor were stimulated with autologous target cells pulsed with theimmunodominant HLA A*0201-restricted epitope pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃ and activatedIFNγ secreting T cells were sorted by flow cytometry.

Specificity of TCRs obtained ex vivo from the CD8+ T cells afterpresentation with pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃ was analyzed in an IFNγ-ELISPOT assay. Asshown in FIG. 7, four of six TCRs were able to redirect IVSB cells torecognize K562-A*0201 cells pulsed with pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃ compared to acontrol peptide. In contrast, IVSB cells equipped with a control TCRisolated from a CMV-seronegative donor did not secrete IFNγ uponcoculture with K562-A*0201 cells pulsed with pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃.

In order to show that cloned pp65-specific TCRs are also able to mediatecytolytic effector function a luciferase-based cytotoxicity assay wasconducted using IVSB cells transfected with TCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 orTCR_(CD8)-CMV#14.

Specific killing of appropriate target cells (K562-B*3501 cells pulsedwith pp65₁₁₇₋₁₃₁ and K562-A*0201 cells pulsed with peptide pp65₄₉₅₋₅₀₃,respectively) was compared to the killing of Tyr₃₆₈₋₃₇₆-pulsedK562-A*0201 cells mediated by the endogenous TCR of IVSB effectors (FIG.8).

Titration of the effector-to-target (E:T) ratio confirmed that targetcells pulsed with the appropriate pp65 peptide were specifically lysedby TCR-transfected IVSB cells. Up to 85% of target cells were killed byIVSB cells transfected with TCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 and TCR_(CD8)-CMV#14,respectively. Remarkably, recombinant TCRs mediated equally efficientlysis as the natural TCR at a broad range of E:T ratios.

In summary, 13 hCMV-pp65-specific TCRs were isolated from CD4+ and CD8+T cells obtained from four different CMV seropositive donors either exvivo or after antigen-specific expansion as listed in Table 1.

Example 3: Isolation of TCRs Specific for the Tumor Antigen NY-ESO-1

After proof of concept studies using CMV-pp65 as a viral model antigeneliciting high frequencies of antigen-specific T cells, we evaluated thecapability of our approach to clone TCRs from tumor antigen-specific Tcell populations of low abundance. Frequencies of pre-existing T cellsagainst tumor-associated self proteins are generally much lower thanfrequencies of T cells elicited by persisting viruses. For applicationof our method to the tumor setting we resorted to the highly immunogenictumor antigen NY-ESO-1.

NY-ESO-1 is a cancer/testis antigen expressed in normal adult tissuessolely in the testicular germ cells. NY-ESO-1 (synonyms: CTG. CTAG,CTAG1, ESO1, LAGE-2, LAGE2, LAGE2A, LAGE2B, OTTHUMP00000026025,OTTHUMP00000026042) is one of the best characterized cancer testisantigens identified by SEREX (Chen, Y. T. et al. (1997), Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. U.S.A 94, 1914-1918), which is expressed in a variety ofmalignant neoplasms, including melanomas, esophageal, breast, prostate,urinary tract, ovarian and lung cancers (Chen, Y. T. et al. (1997) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 94, 1914-1918; Jungbluth, A. A. et al. (2001)Int. J. Cancer 92, 856-860; Schultz-Thater, E. et al. (2000) Br. J.Cancer 83, 204-208). Due to its natural immunogenicity it is favored asa model antigen for tumor vaccination strategies. NY-ESO-1 frequentlyelicits high-titer antibody responses in patients bearing NY-ESO-1expressing tumors and it was shown that autoantibody responses againstNY-ESO-1 are often associated with the presence of antigen-specific CD8+and CD4+ T cells (Zeng, G. et al. (2001), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A98, 3964-3969; Jager, E. et al. (1998), J. Exp. Med. 187, 265-270;Gnjatic, S. et al. (2003), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 100, 8862-8867;Valmori, D. et al. (2007), Clin. Immunol. 122, 163-172).

We selected a NSCLC patient based on his autoantibody reactivity againstNY-ESO-1, pulsed his bulk PBMCs with NY-ESO-1 peptide pool and expandedfor one week. After exposure to autologous NY-ESO-1 RNA transfected DCsIFNγ secreting CD8+ T cells were sorted and TCRs were cloned from singlecells. Validation of identified TCRs for specific recognition ofNY-ESO-1 expressing target cells by IFNγ ELISPOT assay resulted in sevenfunctional NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs obtained from this patient. As shownin FIG. 9, TCRs recognized DCs either pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide poolor transfected with NY-ESO-1 RNA, the latter confirming recognition of anaturally processed epitope.

HLA restrictions of NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs were determined byIFNγ-ELISPOT using TCR-transfected IVSB effectors co-cultured with K562cells expressing individual HLA class I alleles of the patient andpulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide pool. A representative result is shown inFIG. 10.

For epitope mapping IVSB T cells were transfected with NY-ESO-1-specificTCRs and co-cultured with K562 cells expressing the appropriate HLAantigen pulsed with individual overlapping 15mer peptides spanning theNY-ESO-1 protein. Reactivity of TCR-transfected T cells against theNY-ESO-1 peptides was assayed in IFNγ-ELISPOT assays (FIG. 11).

Remarkably, epitopes of all seven TCRs were localized to amino acids85-111 of the NY-ESO-1 protein (FIG. 11, 12). This region is known toundergo efficient proteosomal cleavage due to hydrophobic sequences andis processed into multiple epitopes with various HLA restrictions(Valmori, D. et al. (2007), Clin. Immunol. 122, 163-172). By screeningserial nonamers, we narrowed down the HLA-B*3508 restricted epitope ofTCR_(CD8)-NY#5, #6, #8 and #15 to NY-ESO-1₉₂₋₁₀₀ (seq. LAMPFATPM) (FIG.12).

In order to show that NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs isolated from CD8+ T cellsare able to mediate cytolytic effector functions, TCR-transgenic IVSBcells were analyzed for specific killing of peptide-pulsed K562-A*6801cells. As shown in FIG. 13, IVSB effectors were reprogrammed byTCR_(CD8)-NY#2 to specifically lyse target cells at different E:Tratios.

Validation of TCRs isolated from CD4+ T cells of two other seropositiveNSCLC patients resulted in cloning of 9 independent functionalNY-ESO-1-specific TCRs. Determination of restriction elements (FIG. 14)and confinement of epitope localizations (FIG. 15) revealed that 7 ofthese TCRs recognized epitopes in a peptide stretch comprising aa117-147 in the context of different HLA class II allelotypes, suggestinga hot spot for T helper cell epitopes (Table 5).

To date, 16 NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs were cloned from CD4+ and CD8+derived from three different NSCLC patients and characterized regardingHLA restriction and peptide specificity (Table 2).

Example 4: Isolation of TCRs Specific for the Tumor Antigen TPTE

TPTE (Transmembrane Phosphatase with Tensin homology; synonyms: CT44,PTEN2, EC 3.1.3.48, OTTHUMP00000082790), is a sperm cell-specific lipidphosphatase that is aberrantly transcribed in many human cancers (Chen,H. et al. (1999), Hum. Genet. 105, 399-409; Dong, X. Y. et al. (2003),Br. J. Cancer 89, 291-297; Singh, A. P. et al. (2008), Cancer Lett. 259,28-38), but little is known about its immunogenicity and T cellresponses had not been reported so far.

In order to isolate TPTE-specific TCRs, 3 NSCLC patients showingsignificant absorbance values in the pre-screening by CrELISA wereselected for antigen-specific expansion and flow cytometry sorting ofTPTE-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells.

TCRs isolated from CD8+ T cells were validated for recognition of TPTEexpressing target cells and were characterized regarding HLA restrictionand epitope specificity as exemplarily shown for TCR_(CD8)TPT#3 in FIG.16. This TCR was shown to reprogram IVSB cells for specific recognitionof K562 cells presenting TPTE peptides on HLA B*3501 (FIG. 16 top). TheHLA-B*3501-restricted epitope could be localized to TPTE 15-mers P130,P131 and P132, with highest reactivity to peptide P131 representingamino acids 521-535 of TPTE (FIG. 16 middle). By analyzing serialnonamers covering this region, the novel epitope TPTE₅₂₇₋₅₃₅ (seq.YPSDFAVEI) could be defined, which complies with the requirements of aB*3501 binding motif with proline as an anchor residue at position 2,aspartic acid as a charged residue at position 4 and isoleucine as ahydrophobic amino acid at position 9 (Falk, K. et al. (1993),Immunogenetics 38, 161-162) (FIG. 16 bottom).

Analogously, TCRs isolated from CD4+ T cells were validated for specificrecognition of K562 cells expressing TPTE and individual HLA class IIalleles of the donor (FIG. 17). After determination of HLA restrictionsTPTE-specific TCRs were analyzed for recognition of TPTE 15mer peptidesin order to localize the recognized epitopes (FIG. 18).

A total of 31 functional TPTE-reactive TCRs were identified thus far,from which two are derived from CD8+ cells and 29 are derived from CD4+T cells of three different NSCLC patients (Table 3). Fine mapping ofepitopes by the use of single-peptide-pulsed HLA allele-expressing K562target cells, disclosed that epitopes were distributed all over the TPTEprotein sequence (Table 5).

Example 5: Isolation of High-Affinity PLAC1-Specific TCRs from T Cellsof Immunized A2.1/DR1 Mice

The trophoblast-specific gene PLAC1 (PLACenta-specific 1, synonyms:OTTHUMP00000024066; cancer/testis antigen 92) is a novel member ofcancer-associated placental genes (Koslowski M. et al. (2007), CancerResearch 67, 9528-34). PLAC1 is ectopically expressed in a wide range ofhuman malignancies, most frequently in breast cancer, and is essentiallyinvolved in cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

In order to obtain TCRs specific for PLAC1, we changed the source forantigen-specific T cells. As TCRs isolated from the natural repertoireof cancer patients are usually of low affinity owing to centraltolerance mechanisms, we applied an alternative approach bypassingtolerance to generate high-affinity T cells specific for PLAC1. T cellsof HLA A2.1/DR1 transgenic mice (Pajot A. et al. (2004), Eur. J.Immunol. 34, 3060-69) were primed in vivo against the human PLAC1antigen by repetitive intranodal immunization using PLAC1-encoding IVTRNA (Kreiter S. et al. (2010), Cancer Research 70, 9031-40). Spleencells obtained from these mice were rechallenged with PLAC1 overlappingpeptides following detection and isolation of antigen-specific T cellsbased on their activation-induced upregulation of CD137 (FIG. 19).Notably, in all five mice a significant percentage of PLAC1-specific Tcells (ranging from 16-48% of CD8+ cells) could be established byintranodal immunization with PLAC1 IVT RNA.

For validation of TCRs cloned from murine CD8+ T cells TCR-engineeredIVSB cells were analyzed for specific cytokine secretion in response toPLAC1 peptide-pulsed K562-A*0201 cells by IFNγ-ELISPOT (FIG. 20). Atotal of 11 TCRs were shown to mediate specific recognition ofK562-A*0201 cells pulsed with peptides derived from PLAC1 compared to acontrol antigen. Remarkably, IFNγ secretion mediated by thePLAC1-specific TCRs was even higher compared to those mediated by theendogenous TCR of IVSB effectors. Epitope mapping by the usesingle-peptide-pulsed HLA allele-expressing K562 target cells, disclosedthat all identified PLAC1-specific TCRs recognize 15mer peptides 7 and 8representing amino acid 25-43 of PLAC1 (FIG. 21). By screening serialnonamers covering this region, we identified two HLA-A*0201 restrictedepitopes: PLAC1 amino acids 28-36 and amino acids 30-41, with bestrecognition of amino acids 31-39 (FIG. 22, Table 5). Notably, allPLAC1-specific TCRs obtained from 4 different mice were shown torecognize these two epitopes indicating preferential procession of thesePLAC1 peptides as well as efficient binding and presentation on HLAA*0201. All TCRs mediated increased IFNγ secretion in response to aminoacids 31-39 compared to amino acids 28-36. The latter was properlyrecognized by some of the TCRs only.

By cloning of 11 PLAC1-specific TCRs (Table 4) and identification of twoHLA A*0201-presented immunodominant PLAC1 epitopes (Table 5) we couldshow that T cells of A2/DR1 mice primed in vivo by intranodalvaccination with antigen-encoding IVT RNA are exploitable as a sourcefor TCR isolation.

CONCLUSION

We were able to establish a versatile platform technology for efficientcloning and rapid characterization of immunologically relevant TCRs fromsmall antigen-specific T cell populations without the need forgeneration of T cell clones or lines and prior knowledge of restrictionelements or T cell epitopes.

Usage of our TCR isolation/validation approach for viral and tumorantigens resulted in the discovery of more than 70 antigen-specific TCRs(Table 1, 2, 3, 4), whereof far more than half were directed againstnovel HLA presented epitopes (Table 5).

Notably, from single donors several TCR specificities derived from CD8+as well as CD4+ T lymphocytes were cloned in parallel and shown toreprogram T cell effectors for recognition of the respective antigen.

This approach enables the generation of a large library of TCRs in atimely manner for “off the shelf” use filling the gap between theavailability of a large amount of target structures and the small numberof suitable TCR candidates for antigen-specific therapy approaches inthe field of cancer, autoimmunity and infectious diseases.

TABLES

TABLE 1 hCMV pp65-specific TCRs HLA class I/II Recognized DesignationTCR alpha chain^(a) TCR beta chain^(a) restriction^(b) regionTCR_(CD8)-CMV#1 V1.2 J24_2 C V3.1 D2 J2.1 C2 B*3501 aa 117-139, best117-131 TCR_(CD8)-CMV#4 V3 J43 C V6.5 D1 J1.2 C1 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#8 V22 J58 C V10.1 D J1.4 C1 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#9 V19 J26 C V13 D2 J2.1 C2 pending pendingTCR_(CD8)-CMV#10 V24 J49 C V6.5 D1 J1.2 C1 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#11 V16 J36 C V25.1 D1 J2.2 C2 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#12 V39 J58 C V9 D2 J2.2 C2 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#14 V24 J21 C V3.1 D2 J2.2 C2 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#15 V12.3 J43 C V12.4 D1 J1.4 C1^(c) A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD8)-CMV#16 V13.1_2 J50 C V25.1 J1.3 C1 A*0201 aa 495-503TCR_(CD4)-CMV#1 V21 J43 C V3.1 D1 J1.1 C1 DRB1*0701 aa 117-139TCR_(CD4)-CMV#3 V8.6_2 J37_2 C V6.1 D1 J1.2 C1 DRB1*0701 aa 337-359TCR_(CD4)-CMV#5 V22 J49 C V6.2 D2 J2.3 C2^(d) DRB1*0701 aa 337-359

TABLE 2 NY-ESO-1-specific TCRs HLA class I/II Recognized Designation TCRalpha chain^(a) TCR beta chain^(a) restriction^(b) region TCR_(CD8)-NY#2V3 J28 C V20.1_2 J2.3 C2 A*6801 aa 93-107 TCR_(CD8)-NY#5 V24 J3 C V7.6D2 J2.2 C2 B*3508 aa 92-100 TCR_(CD8)-NY#6 V17 J47_2 C V12.3 D2 J2.1 C2B*3508 aa 92-100 TCR_(CD8)-NY#8 V8.6_2 J9 C V28.1 D1 J1.1 C1 B*3508 aa92-100 TCR_(CD8)-NY#12 V1.1 J23 C V4.1 D2 J2.1 C2 B*0702 aa 97-111TCR_(CD8)-NY#13 V5 J33 C V5.5_2 D1 J2.5 C2 A*6801 aa 93-107TCR_(CD8)-NY#15 V12.2_2 J53 C V4.1 D2 J2.5 C2 B*3508 aa 92-100TCR_(CD4)-NY#1 V22 J20 C V9 D1 J1.1 C1 DRB1*0401 aa 165-180TCR_(CD4)-NY#3 V12.3 J54 C V11.2 D2 J2.2 C2 DRB1*0401 aa 117-139TCR_(CD4)-NY#5 V8.4_3 J48 C V4.1 D1 J1.5 C1 DRB1*1101 aa 117-139TCR_(CD4)-NY#7 V8.6_2 J13_2 C V20.1 D2 J2.5 C2 DRB1*1101 aa 117-139DRB1*1601 TCR_(CD4)-NY#10 V9.2_3 J42 C V7.9_3 D2 J2.7 C2 DRB5*0202 aa85-99 TCR_(CD4)-NY#11 V8.1 J23 C V11.2 D1 J1.2 C1 DRB1*1101 aa 117-139TCR_(CD4)-NY#13 V21_2 J24_2 C V7.9_3 D1 J2.3 C2 DRB5*0202 aa 129-147TCR_(CD4)-NY#16 V8.4_3 J10 C V20.1 D1 J1.5 C1 DRB3*0201 aa 117-139TCR_(CD4)-NY#14 V8.4_3 J37_2 C V3.1 D2 J1.3 C1 DRB3*0201 aa 121-135

TABLE 3 TPTE-specific TCRs Recognized Designation TCR alpha chain^(a)TCR beta chain^(a) HLA class I/II restriction^(b) region TCR_(CD8)-TPT#3V27 J16 C V7.9 D2 J2.2 C2 B*3501 aa 527-535 TCR_(CD8)-TPT#35 V19 J17 CV6.2/V6.3 D1 J1.2 B*0702 aa 188-196 C1^(d) TCR_(CD4)-TPT#4 V14/DV4 J48 CV29.1 D1 J1.2 C1 DRB4*0101 aa 405-423 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#5 V38.2/DV8 J40 CV4.2 D2 J2.7 C2 DRB1*1401 aa 417-435 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#6 V12.3 J35 C V5.4 D1J1.3 C1 DRB1*1401 aa 53-71 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#8 V38.1 J45 C V3.1 D1 J2.7 C2DRB3*0201/2 aa 181-195 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#11 V17 J27 C V6.6_2 D1 J2.3 C2DRB1*0701 aa 109-127 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#13 V20_2 J29 C V19 D2 J2.1 C2DRB1*1401 aa 497-515 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#17 V29/DV5 J49 C V7.2 D1 J2.7 C2DRB5*0202 aa 177-195 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#27 V13.1_2 J45 C V19 D1 J1.1 C1DRB3*0301 aa 181-195 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#33 V29/DV5 J42 C V24.1 D2 J2.1 C2DRB5*0202 aa 217-231 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#38 V39 J18 C V5.5_2 D1 J1.4 C1DRB1*1601 aa 277-291 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#42 V25 J10 C V7.8 D2 J2.7 C2DRB1*1301 aa 269-283 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#45 V13.2 J23 C V20.1 D1 J1.2 C1DRB1*1501 aa 413-427 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#48 V8.3 J43 C V28 D1 J1.1 C1DRB1*1501 aa 173-187 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#49 V38.1 J49 C V19 D2 J2.2 C2DRB1*1501 aa 393-411 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#51 V13.1_2 J53 C V14 D1 J1.1 C1DRB1*1301 aa 217-231 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#52 V8.3 J54 C V6.1 D2 J2.7 C2DRB1*1501 aa 117-135 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#54^(g) V9.2 J23 C V20.1 D1 J1.1 C1DQB1*0602/03; aa 53-67 DQA*0102/03 aa 77-91 aa 245-259 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#55V38.2/DV8 J34 C V5.1 J2.1 C2 DRB1*1301 aa 177-195 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#57 V8.1J27 C V5.1 D2 J2.7 C2 DRB1*1501 aa 81-95 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#59 V39 J49 CV7.9_3 D2 J2.4 C2 DRB1*1301 aa 141-155 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#67 V12.3 J9 C V5.1D2 J2.7 C2 DRB1*1501 aa 173-187 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#76 V8.3 J57 C V19 D2_2J2.7 C2 DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602 aa 453-467 DQA1*0103/DQB1*0602DQA1*0103/DQB1*0603 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#77 V14/DV4_3 J50 C V20.1 D2 J2.2 C2DRB1*1301 aa 417-435 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#78 V8.6_2 J21 C V2 D1 J1.6_2 C1DRB1*1301 aa 221-235 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#79^(g) V38.2/DV8 J39 C V5.1 D2 J2.1C2 DRB1*1501 aa 149-163 aa 157-171 aa 173-187 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#82 V38.2/DV8J39 C V19 D1 J2.7 C2 DRB1*1301 aa 409-423 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#87 V39 J31 CV5.1 J2.6 C2 DRB1*1301 aa 177-195 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#91 V20_2 J53 C V6.1 D1J2.7 C2 DRB1*1501 aa 173-187 TCR_(CD4)-TPT#9^(g) V23/DV6 J49 C V3.1 D1J1.2 C1 DRB1*0701 aa 121-135 aa 145-159

TABLE 4 PLAC1-specific TCRs HLA class I/II Recognized Designation TCRalpha chain^(a) TCR beta chain^(a) restriction^(b) regionTCR_(CD8)-mP1#2 V6D.6_5 J33 C V2 D1 J1.3 C1 A*0201 aa 28-36, 30-41, best31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#8 V9D.1 J12 C^(e) V5 D2 J2.1 C2 A*0201 aa 28-36,30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#9 V4D.4_2 J44 C V2 D2 J2.7 C2 A*0201 aa25-43 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#11 V6D.6_2 J9_2 C V2 D1 J1.3 C1 A*0201 aa 28-36,30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#12 V4D.4_2 J27 C V30 D1 J2.2 C2 A*0201aa 28-36, 30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#14 V9D.1_2 J12 C V5 D1 J1.1 C1A*0201 aa 28-36, 30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#17 V14.1 J31 C^(f)V13.2 D2 J2.1 C2 A*0201 aa 28-36, 30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#19V6D.3 J22 C V13.3 D1 J1.6 C1 A*0201 aa 28-36, 30-41, best 31-39TCR_(CD8)-mP1#20 V12.3_3 J38 C V5 D2 J1.1 C1 A*0201 aa 28-36, 30-41,best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#22 V13D.2 J34_2 C V20 D1 J2.1 C2 A*0201 aa28-36, 30-41, best 31-39 TCR_(CD8)-mP1#25 V8.1_3 J21 C V31 D2 J2.1 C2A*0201 aa 25-43 ^(a)Designations of the TCR V(D)J genes according to theIMGT nomenclature; Example: Vβ7.9 is the ninth gene of Vβ gene subgroup7, while V7.9_3 is the third allele of gene 9 of subgroup 7. Alleles areonly specified by an underline, if they differ from allele 1.^(b)Designations of the HLA alleles begin with HLA- and the locus name,then * and a number of digits specifying the allele. The first twodigits specify a group of alleles. The third through fourth digitsspecify a synonymous allele. Digits five through six denote anysynonymous mutations within the coding frame of the gene. The seventhand eighth digits distinguish mutations outside the coding region^(c)The TCR beta gene is V12.4_1 or V12.4_2 ^(d)The TCR beta gene isV6.2 or V6.3 ^(e)The TCR alpha gene is V9D.1_1 or V9D.1_2 ^(f)The TCRalpha gene is J31_1 or J31_2 ^(g)Promiscous TCRs recognizing more thanone epitope aa = amino acids

TABLE 5 T cell epitopes derived from the antigens hCMV pp65, NY-ESO-I,TPTE, PLAC1 HLA class I/II SEQ ID Antigen Epitope Amino acid sequencerestriction NO: hCMV pp65 aa 117-139, PLKMLNIPSINVHHYPSAAERKH B*3501 108best 117-131 aa 495-503 NLVPMVATV A*0201 109 aa 117-139PLKMLNIPSINVHHYPSAAERKH DRB1*0701 108 aa 337-359 VELRQYDPVAALFFFDIDLLLQRDRB1*0701 110 NY-ESO-I aa 92-100 LAMPFATPM B*3508 111 aa 93-107AMPFATPMEAELARR A*6801 112 aa 97-111 ATPMEAELARRSLAQ B*0702 113 aa 85-99SRLLEFYLAMPFATP DRB5*0202 114 aa 117-139 PVPGVLLKEFTVSGNILTIRLTADRB1*0401 115 aa 117-139 PVPGVLLKEFTVSGNILTIRLTA DRB1*1101 115 aa117-139 PVPGVLLKEFTVSGNILTIRLTA DRB1*1601 115 aa 117-139PVPGVLLKEFTVSGNILTIRLTA DRB3*0201 115 aa 129-147 SGNILTIRLTAADHRQLQLDRB5*0202 116 aa 165-180 CFLPVFLAQPPSGQRR DRB1*0401 117 aa 121-135VLLKEFTVSGNILTI DRB3*0201 175 TPTE aa 185-199 RNIPRWTHLLRLLRL B*0702 118aa 527-535 YPSDFAVEI B*3501 119 aa 53-71 SPISESVLARLSKFEVEDA DRB1*1401120 aa 81-95 IKKIVHSIVSSFAFG DRB1*1501 121 aa 109-127ILADLIFTDSKLYIPLEYR DRB1*0701 122 aa 117-135 DSKLYIPLEYRSISLAIALDRB1*1501 123 aa 141-155 VLLRVFVERRQQYFS DRB1*1301 124 aa 173-187DVVYIFFDIKLLRNI DRB1*1501 125 aa 177-191 IFFDIKLLRNIPRWT DRB1*1501 126aa 177-195 IFFDIKLLRNIPRWTHLLR DRB1*1301 127 aa 177-195IFFDIKLLRNIPRWTHLLR DRB5*0202 127 aa 181-195 IKLLRNIPRWTHLLR DRB3*0201/2128 aa 181-195 IKLLRNIPRWTHLLR DRB3*0301 128 aa 217-231 KLIRRRVSENKRRYTDRB1*1301 129 aa 217-231 KLIRRRVSENKRRYT DRB5*0202 129 aa 221-235RRVSENKRRYTRDGF DRB1*1301 130 aa 269-283 RFLDKKHRNHYRVYN DRB1*1301 131aa 277-291 NHYRVYNLCSERAYD DRB1*1601 132 aa 393-411 YVAYFAQVKHLYNWNLPPRDRB1*1501 133 aa 405-423 NWNLPPRRILFIKHFIIYS DRB4*0101 134 aa 409-423PPRRILFIKHFIIYS DRB1*1301 135 aa 413-427 ILFIKHFIIYSIPRY DRB1*1501 136aa 417-435 KHFIIYSIPRYVRDLKIQI DRB1*1301 137 aa 417-435KHFIIYSIPRYVRDLKIQI DRB1*1401 137 aa 453-467 VLDNITTDKILIDVFDQA1*0102/B1*0602 138 aa 453-467 VLDNITTDKILIDVF DQA1*0103/B1*0602 138aa 453-467 VLDNITTDKILIDVF DQA1*0103/B1*0603 138 aa 497-515WLHTSFIENNRLYLPKNEL DRB1*1401 139 aa 102-110 VLLDVTLIL A*0201 178 aa164-172 AIIVILLLV A*0201 179 aa 188-196 PRWTHLLRL B*0702 180 aa 53-67SPISESVLARLSKFE DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602 181 aa 77-91 YDSKIKKIVHSIVSSDQA1*0102/DQB1*0602 182 aa 121-135 YIPLEYRSISLAIAL DRB1*0701 183 aa145-159 VFVERRQQYFSDLFN DRB1*0701 184 aa 149-163 RRQQYFSDLFNILDTDRB1*1501 185 aa 157-171 LFNILDTAIIVILLL DRB1*1501 186 aa 245-259RIIAMSFPSSGRQSF DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602 187 PLAC1 aa 28-36 VLCSIDWFM A*0201172 aa 30-41, CSIDWFMVTVHP A*0201 173 best 31-39 aa 25-43PMTVLCSIDWFMVTVHPFM A*0201 196

In the following, the T cell receptor sequences obtained are shown. Theunderlined sequences are the CDR sequences, wherein the first sequencein each T cell receptor chain is CDR1, followed by CDR2 and CDR3.

1. hCMV pp65-specific T cell receptors TCR_(CD8)-CMV#1:  SEQ ID NO: 4; >Vα1.2 J24_2 C (V −> A)MWGAFLLYVSMKMGGTTGQNIDQPTEMTATEGAIVQINCTYQTSGFNGLFWYQQHAGEAPTFLSYNVLDGLEEKGRFSSFLSRSKGYSYLLLKELQMKDSASYLCAVADSWGKLQFGAGTQVVVTPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 5; >Vβ3.1 D2 J2.1 C2 (C −> T)MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMFSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSQEGLAGASNNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#4:  SEQ ID NO: 6; > Vα3 J43 CMASAPISMLAMLFTLSGLRAQSVAQPEDQVNVAEGNPLTVKCTYSVSGNPYLFWYVQYPNRGLQFLLKYITGDNLVKGSYGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLKKPSALVSDSALYFCAVSASNDMRFGAGTRLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 7; >Vβ6.5 D1 J1.2 C1 (S −> R)MRIGLLCCAALSLLWAGPVNAGVTQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHEYMSWYRQDPGMGLRLIHYSVGAGITDQGEVPNGYNVSRSTTEDFPLRLLSAAPSQTSVYFCASSPQTGASFNYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#8:  SEQ ID NO: 8; > Vα22 J58 CMKRILGALLGLLSAQVCCVRGIQVEQSPPDLILQEGANSTLRCNFSDSVNNLQWFHQNPWGQLINLFYIPSGTKQNGRLSATTVATERYSLLYISSSQTTDSGVYFCAVVRWETSGSRLTFGEGTQLTVNPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDVTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 9; >Vβ10.1 DJ1.4 C1MGTRLFFYVAICLLWAGHRDAEITQSPRHKITETGRQVTLACHQTWNHNNMFWYRQDLGHGLRLIHYSYGVQDTNKGEVSDGYSVSRSNTEDLPLTLESAASSQTSVYFCASSDPTEEKLFFGSGTQLSVLEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#9:  SEQ ID NO: 10; > Vα19 J26 CMLTASLLRAVIASICVVSSMAQKVTQAQTEISVVEKEDVTLDCVYETRDTTYYLFWYKQPPSGELVFLIRRNSFDEQNEISGRYSWNFQKSTSSFNFTITASQVVDSAVYFCALSEGGSYGQNFVFGPGTRLSVLPYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 11; > Vβ13 D2 J2.1 C2 (MLSLPDSAWN −> MG)MGTRLLCRVMLCLLGAGSVAAGVIQSPRHLIKEKRETATLKCYPIPRHDTVYWYQQGPGQDPQFLISFYEMKQSDKGSIPDRFSAQQFSDYHSELNMSSLELGDSALYFCASSLRDEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#10:  SEQ ID NO: 12; > Vα24 J49 CMEKNPLAAPLLILWFHLDCVSSILNVEQSPQSLHVQEGDSTNFTCSFPSSNFYALHWYRWETAKSPEALFVMTLNGDEKKKGRISATLNTKEGYSYLYIKGSQPEDSATYLCARNTGNQFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 13; >Vβ6.5 D1 J1.2 C1MSIGLLCCAALSLLWAGPVNAGVTQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHEYMSWYRQDPGMGLRLIHYSVGAGITDQGEVPNGYNVSRSTTEDFPLRLLSAAPSQTSVYFCATQLATGTNYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#11:  SEQ ID NO: 14; > Vα16 J36 CMKPTLISVLVIIFILRGTRAQRVTQPEKLLSVFKGAPVELKCNYSYSGSPELFWYVQYSRQRLQLLLRHISRESIKGFTADLNKGETSFHLKKPFAQEEDSAMYYCALGWANNLFFGTGTRLTVIPYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 15; >Vβ25.1 D1 J2.2 C2 (T −> G; M −> G)MGTRLLCYGGFYFLGAGLMEADIYQTPRYLVIGTGKKITLECSQTMGHDKMYWYQQDPGMELHLIHYSYGVNSTEKGDLSSESTVSRIRTEHFPLTLESARPSHTSQYLCASTEGTGHTFELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#12:  SEQ ID NO: 16; > Vα39 J58 CMKKLLAMILWLQLDRLSGELKVEQNPLFLSMQEGKNYTIYCNYSTTSDRLYWYRQDPGKSLESLFVLLSNGAVKQEGRLMASLDTKARLSTLHITAAVHDLSATYFCAVDIETSGSRLTFGEGTQLTVNPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 17; >Vβ9 D2 J2.2 C2 (F −> T)MGTRLLCCVAFCLLGAGPVDSGVTQTPKHLITATGQRVTLRCSPRSGDLSVYWYQQSLDQGLQFLIQYYNGEERAKGNILERFSAQQFPDLHSELNLSSLELGDSALYFCASSALGGAGTGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#14:  SEQ ID NO: 18; > Vα24 J21 CMEKNPLAAPLLILWFHLDCVSSILNVEQSPQSLHVQEGDSTNFTCSFPSSNFYALHWYRWETAKSPEALFVMTLNGDEKKKGRISATLNTKEGYSYLYIKGSQPEDSATYLCAFINFNKFYFGSGTKLNVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 19; >Vβ3.1 D2 J2.2 C2 (C −> T)MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMFSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSQVLGPGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#15:  SEQ ID NO: 20; > Vα12.3 J43 CMMKSLRVLLVILWLQLSWVWSQQKEVEQDPGPLSVPEGAIVSLNCTYSNSAFQYFMWYRQYSRKGPELLMYTYSSGNKEDGRFTAQVDKSSKYISLFIRDSQPSDSATYLCAMVNNNNDMRFGAGTRLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDIFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 21; >Vβ12.4 D1 J1.4 C1MDSWTLCCVSLCILVAKHTDAGVIQSPRHEVTEMGQEVTLRCKPISGHDYLFWYRQTMMRGLELLIYFNNNVPIDDSGMPEDRFSAKMPNASFSTLKIQPSEPRDSAVYFCASSYGTYEKLFFGSGTQLSVLEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSLAVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD8)-CMV#16: SEQ ID NO: 22; > Vα13.1_2 J50 CMTSIRAVFIFLWLQLDLVNGENVEQHPSTLSVQEGDSAVIKCTYSDSASNYFPWYKQELGKRPQLLIDIRSNVGEKKDQRIAVTLNKTAKHFSLHITETQPEDSAVYFCAATYDKVIFGPGTSLSVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 23; >Vβ25.1 J1.3 C1 (TI −> GT)MGTRLLCYMGFYFLGAGLMEADIYQTPRYLVIGTGKKITLECSQTMGHDKMYWYQQDPGMELHLIHYSYGVNSTEKGDLSSESTVSRIRTEHFPLTLESARPSHTSQYLCASSETSFSGNTIYFGEGSWLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-CMV#1:  SEQ ID NO: 24; > Vα21 J43 CMETLLGLLILWLQLQWVSSKQEVTQIPAALSVPEGENLVLNCSFTDSAIYNLQWFRQDPGKGLTSLLLIQSSQREQTSGRLNASLDKSSGRSTLYIAASQPGDSATYLCAVKDNDMRFGAGTRLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 25; >Vβ3.1 D1 J1.1 C1 (C −> T)MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMFSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSQEKRGAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-CMV#3:  SEQ ID NO: 26; > Vα8.6_2 J37_2 CMLLLLVPAFQVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLDSQVPVFEEAPVELRCNYSSSVSVYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYLSGSTLVKGINGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLRKPSVHISDTAEYFCAVSSYGSSNTGKLIFGQGTTLQVKPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 27; > Vβ6.1 D1 J1.2 C1 (I −> L)MSLGLLCCVAFSLLWASPVNAGVTQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHNSMYWYRQDPGMGLRLIYYSASEGTTDKGEVPNGYNVSRLNICREFSLRLESAAPSQTSVYFCASSTAGGRNYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-CMV#5:  SEQ ID NO: 28; > Vα22 J49 CMKRILGALLGLLSAQVCCVRGIQVEQSPPDLILQEGANSTLRCNFSDSVNNLQWFHQNPWGQLINLFYIPSGTKQNGRLSATTVATERYSLLYISSSQTTDSGVYFCAAGSNTGNQFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 29; >Vβ6.2 D2 J2.3 C2 (G −> A)MSLGLLCCAAFSLLWAGPVNAGVTQTPKFRVLKTGQSMTLLCAQDMNHEYMYWYRQDPGMGLRLIHYSVGEGTTAKGEVPDGYNVSRLKICQNFLLGLESAAPSQTSVYFCASSSRGYGTDTQYFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWVVVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVICRKDSRG* 2. NY-ESO-I-specific T cell receptorsTCR_(CD8)-NY#2:  SEQ ID NO: 30; > Vα3 J28 CMASAPISMLAMLFTLSGLRAQSVAQPEDQVNVAEGNPLTVKCTYSVSGNPYLFWYVQYPNRGLQFLLKYITGDNLVKGSYGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLICKPSALVSDSALYFCAVRPLYSGAGSYQLTFGKGTKLSVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 31; > Vβ20.1_2 J2.3 C2MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSRVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSARNLPLTDTQYFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TC12_(CD8)-NY#5:  SEQ ID NO: 32; > Vα24 J3 CMEKNPLAAPLLILWFHLDCVSSILNVEQSPQSLHVQEGDSTNFTCSFPSSNFYALHWYRWETAKSPEALFVMTLNGDEKKKGRISATLNTKEGYSYLYIKGSQPEDSATYLCASTSYSSASKIIFGSGTRLSIRPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 33; > Vβ7.6 D2 J2.2 C2 (S −> R)MGTRLLCWVVLGFLGTDHTGAGVSQSPRYKVTKRGQDVALRCDPISGHVSLYWYRQALGQGPEFLTYFNYEAQQDKSGLPNDRFSAERPEGSISTLTIQRTEQRDSAMYRCASSHSSGGAGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-NY#6:  SEQ ID NO: 34; > Vα17 J47_2 CMETLLGVSLVILWLQLARVNSQQGEEDPQALSIQEGENATMNCSYKTSINNLQWYRQNSGRGLVHLILIRSNEREKHSGRLRVTLDTSKKSSSLLITASRAADTASYFCATDEYGNKLVFGAGTILRVKSYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 35; >Vβ12.3 D2 J2.1 C2 (F −> L)MDSWILCCVSLCILVAKHTDAGVIQSPRHEVTEMGQEVTLRCKPISGHNSLFWYRQTMMRGLELLIYFNNNVPIDDSGMPEDRFSAKMPNASFSTLKIQPSEPRDSAVYFCASSYPGFNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-NY#8:  SEQ ID NO: 36; >Vα8.6_2 J9 C (A −> V)MLLLLVPVFQVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLDSQVPVFEEAPVELRCNYSSSVSVYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYLSGSTLVKGINGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLRICPSVHISDTAEYFCAVSDQGTGGFKTIFGAGTRLFVKANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 37; > Vβ28.1 D1 J1.1 C1MGIRLLCRVAFCFLAVGLVDVKVTQSSRYLVKRTGEKVFLECVQDMDHENMFWYRQDPGLGLRLIYFSYDVKMKEKGDIPEGYSVSREKKERFSLILESASTNQTSMYLCASRGTVTSSLMNTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD8)-NY#12:  SEQ ID NO: 38; > Vα1.1 J23 CMWGAFLLYVSMKMGGTAGQSLEQPSEVTAVEGAIVQINCTYQTSGFYGLSWYQQHDGGAPTFLSYNALDGLEETGRFSSFLSRSDSYGYLLLQELQMKDSASYFCAVRDKQGGKLIFGQGTELSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 39; >Vβ4.1 D2 J2.1 C2 (C −> S)MGSRLLCCAVLCLLGAVPIDTEVTQTPKHLVMGMTNICKSLKCEQHMGHRAMYWYKQKAKKPPELMFVYSYEKLSINESVPSRFSPECPNSSLLNLHLHALQPEDSALYLCASMGKRGGNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-NY#13:  SEQ ID NO: 40; >Vα5 J33 CMKTFAGFSFLFLWLQLDCMSRGEDVEQSLFLSVREGDSSVINCTYTDSSSTYLYWYKQEPGAGLQLLTYIFSNMDMKQDQRLTVLLNKKDKHLSLRIADTQTGDSAIYFCAERGQDSNYQLIWGAGTKLIIKPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 41; > Vβ5.5_2 D1 J2.5 C2 (PG −> TR; C −> F)MGTRLLFWVLLCLLGAGPVDAGVTQSPTHLIKTRGQHVTLRCSPISGHKSVSWYQQVLGQGPQFIFQYYEKEERGRGNFPDRFSARQFPNYSSELNVNALLLGDSALYLCASSGWTGRSFGGGAQYFGPGTRLLVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-NY#15:  SEQ ID NO: 42; >Vα12.2 2 J53 C (K −> I)MISLRVLLVILWLQLSWVWSQQKEVEQNSGPLSVPEGAIASLNCTYSDRGSQSFFWYRQYSGKSPELIMSIYSNGDKEDGRFTAQLNKASQYVSLLIRDSQPSDSATYLCAVPYYWSSGGSNYKLTFGKGILLTVNPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 43; > Vβ4.1 D2 J2.5 C2 (C −> S)MGSRLLCCAVLCLLGAVPIDTEVTQTPKHLVMGMTNICKSLKCEQHMGHRAMYWYKQKAKKPPELMFVYSYEKLSINESVPSRFSPECPNSSLLNLHLHALQPEDSALYLCASSQSGLEETQYFGPGTRLLVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-NY#1:  SEQ ID NO: 44; >Vα22 J20 C (Donor SNPN −> K)MKRILGALLGLLSAQVCCVRGIQVEQSPPDLILQEGANSTLRCNFSDSVNNLQWFHQNPWGQLINLFYIPSGTKQNGRLSATTVATERYSLLYISSSQTTDSGVYFCAVNDYKLSFGAGTTVTVRANIQKPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 45; >Vβ9 D1 J1.1 C1 (F −> T)MGTRLLCCVAFCLLGAGPVDSGVTQTPKHLITATGQRVTLRCSPRSGDLSVYWYQQSLDQGLQFLIQYYNGEERAKGNILERFSAQQFPDLHSELNLSSLELGDSALYFCASSPGVSGTTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-NY#3:  SEQ ID NO: 46; > Vα12.3 J54 CMMKSLRVLLVILWLQLSWVWSQQKEVEQDPGPLSVPEGAIVSLNCTYSNSAFQYFMWYRQYSRKGPELLMYTYSSGNKEDGRFTAQVDKSSKYISLFIRDSQPSDSATYLCAMSKGAQKLVFGQGTRLTINPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 47; >Vβ11.2 D2 J2.2 C2MGTRLLCWAALCLLGAELTEAGVAQSPRYKIIEKRQSVAFWCNPISGHATLYWYQQILGQGPKLLIQFQNNGVVDDSQLPKDRFSAERLKGVDSTLKIQPAKLEDSAVYLCASSLGDSNTGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-NY#5:  SEQ ID NO: 140; > Vα8.4_3 J48 CMLLLLVPVLEVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLGSHVSVSEGALVLLRCNYSSSVPPYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYTTGATLVKGINGFEAEFKKSETSFHLTKPSAHMSDAAEYFCAVSRANFGNEKLTFGTGTRLTIIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 141; > Vβ4.1 D1 J1.5 C1 (GCKL → SNQV)MSNQVLCCAVLCLLGAVPIDTEVTQTPKHLVMGMTNKKSLKCEQHMGHRAMYWYKQKAKKPPELMFVYSYEKLSINESVPSRFSPECPNSSLLNLHLHALQPEDSALYLCASSQDPRGGPQHFGDGTRLSILEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-NY#7:  SEQ ID NO: 142; > Vα8.6_2 J13_2 CMLLLLVPAFQVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLDSQVPVFEEAPVELRCNYSSSVSVYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYLSGSTLVKGINGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLRKPSVHISDTAEYFCAVSKSGGYQKVTFGTGTKLQVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSHPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 143; > Vβ20.1 D2 J2.5 C2MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSAAPGLAGGQGGSQYFGPGTRLLVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-NY#10:  SEQ ID NO: 144; > Vα9.2_3 J42 CMNYSPGLVSLILLLLGRTRGDSVTQMEGPVTLSEEAFLTINCTYTATGYPSLFWYVQYPGEGLQLLLKATKADDKGSNKGFEATYRKETTSFHLEKGSVQVSDSAVYFCARAVNYGGSQGNLIFGKGTKLSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 145; > Vβ7.9_3 D2 J2.7 C2 (S → R)MGTRLLCWMALCLLGADHADTGVSQDPRHKITKRGQNVTFRCDPISEHNRLYWYRQTLGQGPEFLTYFQNEAQLEKSRLLSDRFSAERPKGSFSTLEIQRTEQGDSAMYLCASSLGHEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-NY11:  SEQ ID NO: 146; > Vα8.1 J23 CMLLLLIPVLGMIFALRDARAQSVSQHNHHVILSEAASLELGCNYSYGGTVNLFWYVQYPGQHLQLLLKYFSGDPLVKGIKGFEAEFIKSKFSFNLRKPSVQWSDTAEYFCAVNRRTGNQGGKLIFGQGTELSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 147; > Vβ11.2 D1 J1.2 C1MGTRLLCWAALCLLGAELTEAGVAQSPRYKIIEKRQSVAFWCNPISGHATLYWYQQILGQGPKLLIQFQNNGVVDDSQLPKDRFSAERLKGVDSTLKIQPAKLEDSAVYLCASSLGPYIDGAGCTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-NY#13:  SEQ ID NO: 148; > Vα21_2 J24_2 CMETLLGLLILWLQLQWVSSKQEVTQIPAALSVPEGENLVLNCSFTDSAIYNLQWFRQDPGKGLTSLLLIQSSQREQTSGRLNASLDKSSGRSTLYIAASQPGDSATYLCAVPTDSWGKLQFGAGTQVVVTPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 149; >Vβ7.9_3 D1 J2.3 C2 (S → R)MGTRLLCWMALCLLGADHADTGVSQDPRHKITKRGQNVTFRCDPISEHNRLYWYRQTLGQGPEFLTYFQNEAQLEKSRLLSDRFSAERPKGSFSTLEIQRTEQGDSAMYLCASSSKLTGIPEGTDTQYFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-NY#16:  SEQ ID NO: 150; >Vα8.4_3 J10 CMLLLLVPVLEVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLGSHVSVSEGALVLLRCNYSSSVPPYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYTTGATLVKGINGFEAEFKKSETSFHLTKPSAHMSDAAEYFCAVKKGGGNKLTFGTGTQLKVELNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 151; > Vβ20.1 D1 J1.5 C1MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSATGPSEHQPQHFGDGTRLSILEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-NY#14:  SEQ ID NO: 176; > Vα8.4_3 J37_2 CMLLLLVPVLEVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLGSHVSVSEGALVLLRCNYSSSVPPYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYTTGATLVKGINGFEAEFKKSETSFHLTKPSAHMSDAAEYFCAVSKGSSNTGKLIFGQGTTLQVKPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 177; > Vβ3.1 D2 J1.3 C1MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMFSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSQDPGGAGNTIYFGEGSWLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* 3. TPTE-specific T cell receptors: TCR_(CD8)-TPT#3:  SEQ ID NO: 48; > Vα27 J16 CMVLKFSVSILWIQLAWVSTQLLEQSPQFLSIQEGENLTVYCNSSSVFSSLQWYRQEPGEGPVLLVTVVTGGEVKKLKRLTFQFGDARKDSSLHITAAQPGDTGLYLCAGAQGQKLLFARGTMLKVDLNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 49; >Vβ7.9 D2 J2.2 C2MGTRLLCWMALCLLGADHADTGVSQNPRHKITKRGQNVTFRCDPISEHNRLYWYRQTLGQGPEFLTYFQNEAQLEKSRLLSDRFSAERPKGSFSTLEIQRTEQGDSAMYLCASSHLAGGNTGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-TPT#35:  SEQ ID NO: 50; > Vα19 J17 CMLTASLLRAVIASICVVSSMAQKVTQAQTEISVVEKEDVTLDCVYETRDTTYYLFWYKQPPSGELVFLIRRNSFDEQNEISGRYSWNFQKSTSSFNFTITASQVVDSAVYFCALIEAAAGNKLTFGGGTRVLVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 51; > Vβ12.4 D2 J2.7 C2 (L −> F)MDSWTFCCVSLCILVAKHTDAGVIQSPRHEVTEMGQEVTLRCKPISGHDYLFWYRQTMMRGLELLIYFNNNVPIDDSGMPEDRFSAKMPNASFSTLKIQPSEPRDSAVYFCAGSLRLAGAAEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#4:  SEQ ID NO: 52; > Vα14/DV4 J48 CMSLSSLLKVVTASLWLGPGIAQKITQTQPGMFVQEKEAVTLDCTYDTSDPSYGLFWYKQPSSGEMIFLIYQGSYDQQNATEGRYSLNFQKARKSANLVISASQLGDSAMYFCATASNFGNEKLTFGTGTRLTIIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 53; > Vβ29.1 D1 J1.2 C1MLSLLLLLLGLGSVFSAVISQKPSRDICQRGTSLTIQCQVDSQVTMMFWYRQQPGQSLTLIATANQGSEATYESGFVIDKFPISRPNLTFSTLTVSNMSPEDSSIYLCSVDRDREDGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#5:  SEQ ID NO: 54; > Vα38.2/DV8 J40 CMACPGFLWALVISTCLEFSMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSESDYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDAAMYFCAYSRTSGTYKYIFGTGTRLKVLANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 55; > Vβ4.2 D2 J2.7 C2 (GCRL −> SNQV)MSNQVLCCAVLCLLGAVPMETGVTQTPRHLVMGMTNKKSLKCEQHLGHNAMYWYKQSAKKPLELMFVYNFKEQTENNSVPSRFSPECPNSSHLFLHLHTLQPEDSALYLCASSQEISGSSYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#6:  SEQ ID NO: 56; > Vα12.3 J35 CMMKSLRVLLVILWLQLSWVWSQQKEVEQDPGPLSVPEGAIVSLNCTYSNSAFQYFMWYRQYSRKGPELLMYTYSSGNKEDGRFTAQVDKSSKYISLFIRDSQPSDSATYLCAMSAVSFGNVLHCGSGTQVIVLPHIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 57; > Vβ5.4 D1 J1.3 C1 (PG −> TR)MGTRLLCWVLLCLLGAGSVETGVTQSPTHLIKTRGQQVTLRCSSQSGHNTVSWYQQALGQGPQFIFQYYREEENGRGNFPPRFSGLQFPNYSSELNVNALELDDSALYLCASSFGENTIYFGEGSWLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#8:  SEQ ID NO: 58; > Vα38.1 J45 CMTRVSLLWAVVVSTCLESGMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSENNYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDTAMYFCAFMKHPSGGGADGLTFGKGTHLIIQPYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 59; > Vβ3.1 D1 J2.7 C2 (C −> T)MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMFSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSHERGGAYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#11:  SEQ ID NO: 60; > Vα17 J27 CMETLLGVSLVILWLQLARVNSQQGEEDPQALSIQEGENATMNCSYKTSINNLQWYRQNSGRGLVHLILIRSNEREKHSGRLRVTLDTSKKSSSLLITASRAADTASYFCAGYNTNAGKSTFGDGTTLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 61; >Vβ6.62 D1 J2.3 C2 (IS −> LG)MSLGLLCCAAFPLLWAGPVNAGVTQTPKFRILKIGQSMTLQCAQDMNHNYMYWYRQDPGMGLKLIYYSVGAGITDKGEVPNGYNVSRSTTEDFPLRLELAAPSQTSVYFCASSFGQVWADTQYFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#13:  SEQ ID NO: 62; > Vα20_2 J29 CMEKMLECAFIVLWLQLGWLSGEDQVTQSPEALRLQEGESSSLNCSYTVSGLRGLFWYRQHPGKGPEFLFTLYSAGEEKEKERLKATLTKKESFLHITAPKPEDSATYLCAVQASNSGNTPLVFGKGTRLSVIANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 63; > Vβ19 D2 J2.1 C2MSNQVLCCVVLCFLGANTVDGGITQSPKYLFRKEGQNVTLSCEQNLNHDAMYWYRQDPGQGLRLIYYSQIVNDFQKGDIAEGYSVSREKKESFPLTVTSAQKNPTAFYLCASSAPHQRGTNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#17:  SEQ ID NO: 64; >Vα29/DV5 J49 CMAMLLGASVLILWLQPDWVNSQQKNDDQQVKQNSPSLSVQEGRISILNCDYTNSMFDYFLWYKKYPAEGPTFLISISSIKDKNEDGRFTVFLNKSAKHLSLHIVPSQPGDSAVYFCAASPNTGNQFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 65; > Vβ7.2 D1 J2.7 C2MGTRLLFWVAFCLLGADHTGAGVSQSPSNKVTEKGKDVELRCDPISGHTALYWYRQSLGQGLEFLIYFQGNSAPDKSGLPSDRFSAERTGGSVSTLTIQRTQQEDSAVYLCASSLTGGPYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#27:  SEQ ID NO: 66; >Vα13.1_2 J45 C (Donor SNP N −> K)MTSIRAVFIFLWLQLDLVNGENVEQHPSTLSVQEGDSAVIKCTYSDSASNYFPWYKQELGKRPQLIIDIRSNVGEKKDQRIAVTLNKTAKHFSLHITETQPEDSAVYFCAALYSGGGADGLTFGKGTHLIIQPYIQKPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 67; > Vβ19 D1 J1.1 C1MSNQVLCCVVLCFLGANTVDGGITQSPKYLFRKEGQNVTLSCEQNLNHDAMYWYRQDPGQGLRLIYYSQIVNDFQKGDIAEGYSVSREKKESFPLTVTSAQKNPTAFYLCASSIGGGVNTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#33:  SEQ ID NO: 68; >Vα29/DV5 J42 C (Donor SNP N −> K)MAMLLGASVLILWLQPDWVNSQQKNDDQQVKQNSPSLSVQEGRISILNCDYTNSMFDYFLWYKKYPAEGPTFLISISSIKDKNEDGRFTVFLNKSAKHLSLHIVPSQPGDSAVYFCAARSYGGSQGNLIFGKGTKLSVKPNIQKPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 69; > Vβ24.1 D2 J2.1 C2MASLLFFCGAFHLLGTGSMDADVTQTPRNRITKTGKRIMLECSQTKGHDRMYWYRQDPGLGLRLIYYSFDVKDINKGEISDGYSVSRQAQAKFSLSLESAIPNQTALYFCATSDTGTSRNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#38:  SEQ ID NO: 70; >Vα39 J18 C (Donor SNPN −> K)MKKLLAMILWLQLDRLSGELKVEQNPLFLSMQEGKNYTIYCNYSTTSDRLYWYRQDPGKSLESLFVLLSNGAVKQEGRLMASLDTKARLSTLHITAAVHDLSATYFCAVGFRGSTLGRLYFGRGTQLTVWPDIQKPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 71; >Vβ5.5_2 D1 J1.4 C1 (PG −> TR)MGTRLLCWVLLCLLGAGPVDAGVTQSPTHLIKTRGQHVTLRCSPISGHKSVSWYQQVLGQGPQFIFQYYEKEERGRGNFPDRFSARQFPNYSSELNVNALLLGDSALYLCASSWGQGNEKLFFGSGTQLSVLEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#42:  SEQ ID NO: 72; > Vα25 J10 CMLLITSMLVLWMQLSQVNGQQVMQIPQYQHVQEGEDFTTYCNSSTTLSNIQWYKQRPGGHPVFLIQLVKSGEVKKQKRLTFQFGEAKKNSSLHITATQTTDVGTYFCAGSTGGGNKLTFGTGTQLKVELNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQINVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 73; >Vβ7.8 D2 J2.7 C2 (GTR −> DIW; L −> V)MDIWLVCWVVLGFLGTDHTGAGVSQSPRYKVAKRGQDVALRCDPISGHVSLFWYQQALGQGPEFLTYFQNEAQLDKSGLPSDRFFAERPEGSVSTLKIQRTQQEDSAVYLCASSDFYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#45:  SEQ ID NO: 74; > Vα13.2 J23 CMAGIRALFMYLWLQLDWVSRGESVGLHLPTLSVQEGDNSIINCAYSNSASDYFIWYKQESGKGPQFIIDIRSNMDKRQGQRVTVLLNKTVICHLSLQIAATQPGDSAVYFCAETRQGGKLIFGQGTELSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 75; >Vβ20.1 D1 J1.2 C1 (ISLLLPGSLAG missing following GPG)MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSAPPGVTVRAYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#48:  SEQ ID NO: 76; > Vα38.2/DV8 J42 CMACPGFLWALVISTCLEFSMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSESDYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDAAMYFCAYRNYGGSQGNLIFGKGTKLSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 77; > Vβ28 D1 J1.1 C1MGIRLLCRVAFCFLAVGLVDVKVTQSSRYLVKRTGEKVFLECVQDMDHENMFWYRQDPGLGLRLIYFSYDVKMKEKGDIPEGYSVSREICKERFSLILESASTNQTSMYLCASNRLNTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#49:  SEQ ID NO: 78; > Vα38.1 J49 CMTRVSLLWAVVVSTCLESGMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSENNYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDTAMYFCAFMKNTGNQFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 79; > Vβ19 D2 J2.2 C2MSNQVLCCVVLCFLGANTVDGGITQSPKYLFRICEGQNVTLSCEQNLNHDAMYWYRQDPGQGLRLIYYSQIVNDFQKGDIAEGYSVSREKKESFPLTVTSAQKNPTAFYLCASRRLDGLGIGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#51:  SEQ ID NO: 80; >Vα13.1_2 J53 CMTSIRAVFIFLWLQLDLVNGENVEQHPSTLSVQEGDSAVIKCTYSDSASNYFPWYKQELGKRPQLIIDIRSNVGEKKDQRIAVTLNKTAKHFSLHITETQPEDSAVYFCAALSGGSNYKLTFGKGTLLTVNPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 81; >Vβ14 D1 J1.1 C1MVSRLLSLVSLCLLGAKHIEAGVTQFPSHSVIEKGQTVTLRCDPISGHDNLYWYRRVMGKEIKFLLHFVKESKQDESGMPNNRFLAERTGGTYSTLKVQPAELEDSGVYFCASSQQENTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#52:  SEQ ID NO: 82; >Vα8.3 J54 C (AdditionAl MA)MAMLLELIPLLGIHFVLRTARAQSVTQPDIHITVSEGASLELRCNYSYGATPYLFWYVQSPGQGLQLLLKYFSGDTLVQGIKGFEAEFKRSQSSFNLRKPSVHWSDAAEYFCAVGAQGAQKLVFGQGTRLTINPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 83; > Vβ6.1 D2 J2.7 C2 (I −> L)MSLGLLCCVAFSLLWASPVNAGVTQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHNSMYWYRQDPGMGLRLIYYSASEGTTDKGEVPNGYNVSRLNKREFSLRLESAAPSQTSVYFCASSEAGGSSFEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQNSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#54:  SEQ ID NO: 84; > Vα9.2 J23 CMNYSPGLVSLILLLLGRTRGNSVTQMEGPVTLSEEAFLTINCTYTATGYPSLFWYVQYPGEGLQLLLICATKADDKGSNKGFEATYRKETTSFHLEKGSVQVSDSAVYFCALGRGKLIFGQGTELSVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 85; >Vβ20.1 D1 J1.1 C1 (ISLLLPGSLAG missing following GPG)MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSAVDSDLEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#55:  SEQ ID NO: 86; > Vα38.2/DV8 J34 CMACPGFLWALVISTCLEFSMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSESDYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDAAMYFCAYRSAVYNTDKLIFGTGTRLQVFPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 87; > Vβ5.1 J2.1 C2MGSRLLCWVLLCLLGAGPVKAGVTQTPRYLIKTRGQQVTLSCSPISGHRSVSWYQQTPGQGLQFLFEYFSETQRNKGNFPGRFSGRQFSNSRSEMNVSTLELGDSALYLCASSFSSYNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#57:  SEQ ID NO: 88; > Vα8.1 J27 CMLLLLIPVLGMIFALRDARAQSVSQHNHHVILSEAASLELGCNYSYGGTVNLFWYVQYPGQHLQLLLKYFSGDPLVKGIKGFEAEFIKSKFSFNLRKPSVQWSDTAEYFCAVNARDNAGKSTFGDGTTLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 89; > Vβ5.1 D2 J2.7 C2MGSRLLCWVLLCLLGAGPVKAGVTQTPRYLIKTRGQQVTLSCSPISGHRSVSWYQQTPGQGLQFLFEYFSETQRNKGNFPGRFSGRQFSNSRSEMNVSTLELGDSALYLCASRGEPSSYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#59:  SEQ ID NO: 90; > Vα39 J49 CMKKLLAMILWLQLDRLSGELKVEQNPLFLSMQEGKNYTIYCNYSTTSDRLYWYRQDPGKSLESLFVLLSNGAVKQEGRLMASLDTKARLSTLHITAAVHDLSATYFCAVDNEFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 91; >Vβ7.9_3 D2 J2.4 C2 (S −> R)MGTRLLCWMALCLLGADHADTGVSQDPRHKITKRGQNVTFRCDPISEHNRLYWYRQTLGQGPEFLTYFQNEAQLEKSRLLSDRFSAERPKGSFSTLEIQRTEQGDSAMYLCASSLLGAGNIQYFGAGTRLSVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQNSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#67:  SEQ ID NO: 92; > Vα12.3 J9 CMMKSLRVLLVILWLQLSWVWSQQKEVEQDPGPLSVPEGAIVSLNCTYSNSAFQYFMWYRQYSRKGPELLMYTYSSGNKEDGRFTAQVDKSSKYISLFIRDSQPSDSATYLCALYTGGFKTIFGAGTRLFVKANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 93; >Vβ5.1 D2 J2.7 C2MGSRLLCWVLLCLLGAGPVKAGVTQTPRYLIKTRGQQVTLSCSPISGHRSVSWYQQTPGQGLQFLFEYFSETQRNKGNFPGRFSGRQFSNSRSEMNVSTLELGDSALYLCASSFMGTEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#76:  SEQ ID NO: 94; > Vα8.3 J57 CMLLELIPLLGIHFVLRTARAQSVTQPDIHITVSEGASLELRCNYSYGATPYLFWYVQSPGQGLQLLLKYFSGDTLVQGIKGFEAEFKRSQSSFNLRKPSVHWSDAAEYFCAVGAFTRGGSEKLVFGKGMKLTVNPYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 95; > V19 D2_2 J2.7 C2MSNQVLCCVVLCFLGANTVDGGITQSPKYLFRKEGQNVTLSCEQNLNHDAMYWYRQDPGQGLRLIYYSQIVNDFQKGDIAEGYSVSREKKESFPLTVTSAQKNPTAFYLCATGSYVGYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#77:  SEQ ID NO: 96; > Vα14/DV4_3 J50 CMSLSSLLKVVTASLWLGPGIAQKITQTQPGMFVQEKEAVTLDCTYDTSDPSYGLFWYKQPSSGEMIFLIYQGSYDQQNATEGRYSLNFQKARKSANLVISASQLGDSAMYFCAMREGLAKTSYDKVIFGPGTSLSVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 97; >Vβ20.1 D2 J2.2 C2 (ISLLLPGSLAG is missing following GPG)MLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSAPGTGHSAGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#78:  SEQ ID NO: 98; > Vα8.6_2 J21 CMLLLLVPAFQVIFTLGGTRAQSVTQLDSQVPVFEEAPVELRCNYSSSVSVYLFWYVQYPNQGLQLLLKYLSGSTLVKGINGFEAEFNKSQTSFHLRKPSVHISDTAEYFCAVGPNNFNKFYFGSGTKLNVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 99; >Vβ2 D1 J1.6_2 C1 (L −> I)MDIWLVCWAIFSLLKAGLTEPEVTQTPSHQVTQMGQEVILRCVPISNHLYFYWYRQILGQKVEFLVSFYNNEISEKSEIFDDQFSVERPDGSNFTLKIRSTKLEDSAMYFCASSPVGGYNSPLHFGNGTRLTVTEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#79:  SEQ ID NO: 100; >Vα38.2/DV8 J39 CMACPGFLWALVISTCLEFSMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSESDYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDAAMYFCAYRSYNAGNMLTFGGGTRLMVKPHIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 101; > Vβ5.1 D2 J2.1 C2MGSRLLCLVLLCLLGAGPVKAGVTQTPRYLIKTRGQQVTLSCSPISGHRSVSWYQQTPGQGLQFLFEYFSETQRNKGNFPGRFSGRQFSNSRSEMNVSTLELGDSALYLCASSDTSGGGGEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#82:  SEQ ID NO: 102; >Vα38.2/DV8 J39 CMACPGFLWALVISTCLEFSMAQTVTQSQPEMSVQEAETVTLSCTYDTSESDYYLFWYKQPPSRQMILVIRQEAYKQQNATENRFSVNFQKAAKSFSLKISDSQLGDAAMYFCAYRSAGLLLTFGGGTRLMVKPHIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 103; > Vβ 19 D1 J2.7 C2MSNQVLCCVVLCFLGANTVDGGITQSPKYLFRKEGQNVTLSCEQNLNHDAMYWYRQDPGQGLRLIYYSQIVNDFQKGDIAEGYSVSREKKESFPLTVTSAQKNPTAFYLCASSKAPGQGNTQGWEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#87:  SEQ ID NO: 104; >Vα39 J31 CMKKLLAMILWLQLDRLSGELKVEQNPLFLSMQEGKNYTIYCNYSTTSDRLYWYRQDPGKSLESLFVLLSNGAVKQEGRLMASLDTKARLSTLHITAAVHDLSATYFCAVDMWNNNARLMFGDGTQLVVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 105; >Vβ5.1 J2.6 C2MGSRLLCWVLLCLLGAGPVICAGVTQTPRYLIKTRGQQVTLSCSPISGHRSVSWYQQTPGQGLQFLFEYFSETQRNKGNFPGRFSGRQFSNSRSEMNVSTLELGDSALYLCASSLAQSGANVLTFGAGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#91:  SEQ ID NO: 106; > Vα20_2 J53 CMEKMLECAFIVLWLQLGWLSGEDQVTQSPEALRLQEGESSSLNCSYTVSGLRGLFWYRQDPGKGPEFLFTLYSAGEEKEKERLKATLTKKESFLHITAPICPEDSATYLCAVLGGSNYKLTFGKGTLLTVNPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 107; > Vβ6.1 D1 J2.7 C2 (I −> L)MSLGLLCCVAFSLLWASPVNAGVTQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHNSMYWYRQDPGMGLRLIYYSASEGTTDKGEVPNGYNVSRLNKREFSLRLESAAPSQTSVYFCAISRDSYEQYFGPGTRLTVTEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGICEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDSRG* TCR_(CD8)-TPT#35/2:  SEQ ID NO: 188; > Vα19 J17 CMLTASLLRAVIASICVVSSMAQKVTQAQTEISVVEKEDVTLDCVYETRDTTYYLFWYKQPPSGELVFLIRRNSFDEQNEISGRYSWNFQKSTSSFNFTITASQVVDSAVYFCALIEAAAGNKLTFGGGTRVLVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 189; > Vβ6.2 oder Vβ6.3 D1 J1.2 C1 (A → V)MSLGLLCCGVFSLLWAGPVNAGVTQTPKFRVLKTGQSMTLLCAQDMNHEYMYWYRQDPGMGLRLIHYSVGEGTTAKGEVPDGYNVSRLKKQNFLLGLESAAPSQTSVYFCASSDGYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#9:  SEQ ID NO: 190; > Vα23/DV6 J49 CMDKILGASFLVLWLQLCWVSGQQKEKSDQQQVKQSPQSLIVQKGGISIINCAYENTAFDYFPWYQQFPGKGPALLIAIRPDVSEKKEGRFTISFNKSAKQFSLHIMDSQPGDSATYFCAASFYIGNQFYFGTGTSLTVIPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 191; > Vβ3.1 D1 J1.2 C1 (C → T)MGTRLLCCVVFCLLQAGPLDTAVSQTPKYLVTQMGNDKSIKCEQNLGHDTMYWYKQDSKKFLKIMPSYNNKELIINETVPNRFSPKSPDKAHLNLHINSLELGDSAVYFCASSQEALGGGYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* TCR_(CD4)-TPT#48/2:  SEQ ID NO: 192; >Vα8.3 J43 C (E → V)MLLVLIPLLGIHFVLRTARAQSVTQPDIHITVSEGASLELRCNYSYGATPYLFWYVQSPGQGLQLLLKYFSGDTLVQGIKGFEAEFKRSQSSFNLRKPSVHWSDAAEYFCAVGAYDMRFGAGTRLTVKPNIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 193; >Vβ28 D1 J1.1 C1MGIRLLCRVAFCFLAVGLVDVKVTQSSRYLVKRTGEKVFLECVQDMDHENMFWYRQDPGLGLRLIYFSYDVKMKEKGDIPEGYSVSREKKERFSLILESASTNQTSMYLCASNRLNTEAFFGQGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF* 4. PLAC1-specific T cell receptors TCR_(CD8)-mPL#2: SEQ ID NO: 152; > Vα6D.6_5 J33 C (DFS oder DSS → NSF)MNSFPGFVAVILLILGRTHGDSVTQTEGQVTVSESKSLIINCTYSATSIGYPNLFWYVRYPGEGLQLLLKVITAGQKGSSRGFEATYNKEATSFHLQKASVQESDSAVYYCALSDSNYQLIWGSGTKLIIKPDIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 153; >Vβ2 D1 J1.3 C1MGSIFLSCLAVCLLVAGPVDPKIIQKPKYLVAVTGSEKILICEQYLGHNAMYWYRQSAKKPLEFMFSYSYQKLMDNQTASSRFQPQSSKKNHLDLQITALKPDDSATYFCASSPDNSGNTLYFGEGSRLIVVEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSTLVVMAMVKRKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#8:  SEQ ID NO: 154; >Vα9D.1_1 or V9D.1_2 J12 C (L → F)MLLVFISFLGIHFFLDVQTQTVSQSDAHVTVFEGDSVELRCNYSYGGSIYLSWYIQHHGRGLQFLLKYYSGNPVVQGVNGFKAEFSKSDSSFHLRKASVHWSDSAVYFCAVSAGGYKVVFGSGTRLLVSPDIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 155; >Vβ5 D2 J2.1 C2MSCRLLLYVSLCLVETALMNTKITQSPRYLILGRANKSLECEQHLGHNAMYWYKQSAEKPPELMFLYNLKQLIRNETVPSRFIPECPDSSKLLLHISAVDPEDSAVYFCASSPGGAEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKIKKNS* TC12_(CD8)-mPL#9:  SEQ ID NO: 156; > Vα4D.4_2 J44 C (Q → E)MERNLGAVLGILWVQICWVRGDQVEQSPSALSLHEGTGSALRCNFTTTMRAVQWFQQNSRGSLINLFYLASGTKENGRLKSTFNSKESYSTLHIRDAQLEDSGTYFCAAPFVTGSGGKLTLGAGTRLQVNLDIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 157; >Vβ2 J2.7 C2MGSIFLSCLAVCLLVAGPVDPKIIQKPKYLVAVTGSEKILICEQYLGHNAMYWYRQSAKKPLEFMFSYSYQKLMDNQTASSRFQPQSSKKNHLDLQITALKPDDSATYFCASSQDGWGYEQYFGPGTRLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKKKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#11 :  SEQ ID NO: 158; >Vα6D.6_2 J9_2 C (DF → NS)MNSSPGFVAVILLILGRTHGDSVTQTEGPVTVSESESLIINCTYSATSIAYPNLFWYVRYPGEGLQLLLKVITAGQKGSSRGFEATYNKETTSFHLQKASVQESDSAVYYCALGLGYKLTFGTGTSLLVDPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 159; >Vβ2 D1 J1.3 C1MGSIFLSCLAVCLLVAGPVDPKIIQKPKYLVAVTGSEKILICEQYLGHNAMYWYRQSAKKPLEFMFSYSYQKLMDNQTASSRFQPQSSICKNHLDLQITALKPDDSATYFCASSGDNSGNTLYFGEGSRLIVVEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSTLVVMAMVKRKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#12:  SEQ ID NO: 160; > Vα4D.4 2 J27 C (Q →E)MERNLGAVLGILWVQICWVRGDQVEQSPSALSLHEGTGSALRCNFTTTMRAVQWFQQNSRGSLINLFYLASGTKENGRLKSTFNSKESYSTLHIRDAQLEDSGTYFCAAVNTNTGKLTFGDGTVLTVKPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 161; >Vβ30 D1 J2.2 C2MWTFLLLLWSQGSVFSVLLYQKPNRDICQSGTSLKIQCVADSQVVSMFWYQQFQEQSLMLMATANEGSEATYESGFTKDKFPISRPNLTFSTLTVNNARPGDSSIYFCSSRTPNTGQLYFGEGSKLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKKKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#14:  SEQ ID NO: 162; > Vα9D.1_2 J12 CMLLVLISFLGIHFFLDVQTQTVSQSDAHVTVFEGDSVELRCNYSYGGSIYLSWYIQHHGHGLQFLLKYYSGNPVVQGVNGFEAEFSKSDSSFHLRKASVHWSDSAVYFCAVSSGGYKVVFGSGTRLLVSPDIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 163; >Vβ5 D1 J1.1 C1MSCRLLLYVSLCLVETALMNTKITQSPRYLILGRANKSLECEQHLGHNAMYWYKQSAEKPPELMFLYNLKQLIRNETVPSRFIPECPDSSKLLLHISAVDPEDSAVYFCASSQGGTEVFFGKGTRLTVVEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSTLVVMAMVKRKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#17:  SEQ ID NO: 164; > Vα14.1 J31_1 oder_2 CMDKILTATFLLLGLHLAGVNGQQQEKRDQQQVRQSPQSLTVWEGETAILNCSYEDSTFNYFPWYQQFPGEGPALLISIRSVSDKKEDGRFTIFFNKREKKLSLHITDSQPGDSATYFCAPNNRIFFGDGTQLVVKPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS*SEQ ID NO: 165; > Vβ13.2 D2 J2.1 C2MGSRLFFVLSSLLCSKHMEAAVTQSPRNKVAVTGGKVTLSCNQTNNHNNMYWYRQDTGHGLRLIHYSYGAGSTEKGDIPDGYKASRPSQENFSLILELATPSQTSVYFCASLGYNYAEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKKKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#19:  SEQ ID NO: 166; > Vα6D.3 J22 CMNNSPALVTVMLFILGRTHGDSVIQMQGQVTLSENDFLFINCTYSTTGYPTLFWYVQYSGEGPQLLLQVTTANNKGSSRGFEATYDKGTTSFHLQKTSVQEIDSAVYYCAMSDASGSWQLIFGSGTQLTVMPDIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 167; >Vβ13.3 D1 J1.6 C1MGSRLFFVVLILLCAKHMEAAVTQSPRSKVAVTGGKVTLSCHQTNNHDYMYWYRQDTGHGLRLIHYSYVADSTEKGDIPDGYKASRPSQENFSLILELASLSQTAVYFCASSPDRPSYNSPLYFAAGTRLTVTEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSTLVVMAMVKRKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#20:  SEQ ID NO: 168; > Vα12.3_3 J38 CMRPGTCSVLVLLLMLRRSNGDGDSVTQKEGLVTLTEGLPVMLNCTYQTIYSNAFLFWYVHYLNESPRLLLKSSTDNKRTEHQGFHATLHKSSSSFHLQKSSAQLSDSALYYCALNNVGDNSKLIWGLGTSLVVNPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 169; >Vβ5 D2 J1.1 C1MSCRLLLYVSLCLVETALMNTKITQSPRYLILGRANKSLECEQHLGHNAMYWYKQSAEKPPELMFLYNLKQLIRNETVPSRFIPECPDSSKLLLHISAVDPEDSAVYFCASSQYGGANTEVFFGKGTRLTVVEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSTLVVMAMVKRKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#22:  SEQ ID NO: 170; > Vα13D.2 J34_2 C (V → L)MKRLLCSLLGLLCTQVCWVKGQQVQQSPASLVLQEGENAELQCNFSSTATRLQWFYQHPGGRLVSLFYNPSGTKHTGRLTSTTVTNERRSSLHISSSQTTDSGTYFCAAASNTNKVVFGTGTRLQVLPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 171; >Vβ20 D1 J2.1 C2MLLLLLLLGPGCGLGALVYQYPRRTICKSGTSMRMECQAVGFQATSVAWYRQSPQKTFELIALSTVNSAIKYEQNFTQEKFPISHPNLSFSSMTVLNAYLEDRGLYLCGVDRANYAEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKKKNS* TCR_(CD8)-mPL#25:  SEQ ID NO: 194; > Vα8.1_3 J21 CMHSLLGLLLWLQLTRVNSQLAEENSWALSVHEGESVTVNCSYKTSITALQWYRQKSGKGPAQLILIRSNEREKRNGRLRATLDTSSQSSSLSITATRCEDTAVYFCATDNVLYFGSGTKLTVEPNIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQDSTLCLFTDFDSQINVPKTMESGTFITDKTVLDMKAMDSKSNGAIAWSNQTSFTCQDIFKETNATYPSSDVPCDATLTEKSFETDMNLNFQNLSVMGLRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSS* SEQ ID NO: 195; >Vβ31 D2 J2.1 C2MLYSLLAFLLGMFLGVSAQTIHQWPVAEIKAVGSPLSLGCTIKGKSSPNLYWYWQATGGTLQQLFYSITVGQVESVVQLNLSASRPKDDQFILSTEKLLLSHSGFYLCAWKLGNYAEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQKATLVCLARGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQAYKESNYSYCLSSRLRVSATFWHNPRNHFRCQVQFHGLSEEDKWPEGSPKPVTQNISAEAWGRADCGITSASYHQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSGLVLMAMVKKKNS*

The invention claimed is:
 1. A nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptorselected from the group consisting of: (I) a T cell receptor comprising:(i) a T cell receptor α-chain comprising all three CDR sequences of Tcell receptor α-chain of SEQ ID NO: 46, and (ii) a T cell receptorβ-chain comprising all three of the CDR sequences of T cell receptorβ-chain of SEQ ID NO: 47; and (II) a T cell receptor comprising: (i) a Tcell receptor α-chain comprising the T cell receptor α-chain sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 46, and (ii) a T cell receptor β-chain comprising the T cellreceptor β-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 47. 2. An antigen-specificlymphoid cell produced by transferring into a lymphoid cell (i) anucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor α-chain comprising the T cellreceptor α-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 and a nucleic acid encoding aT cell receptor β-chain comprising the T cell receptor β-chain sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 47 or (ii) a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptorcomprising the T cell receptor α-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 and theT cell receptor β-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 47. 3. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising the antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim
 2. 4.An antigen-specific lymphoid cell produced by transferring into alymphoid cell (i) a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptor α-chaincomprising all three of the CDR sequences of the T cell receptor α-chainsequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 and a nucleic acid encoding a T cell receptorβ-chain comprising all three of the CDR sequences of the T cell receptorβ-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47 or (ii) a nucleic acid encoding a Tcell receptor comprising all three of the CDR sequences of the T cellreceptor α-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 and all three of the CDRsequences the T cell receptor β-chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 47. 5. Apharmaceutical composition comprising the antigen-specific lymphoid cellof claim
 4. 6. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 2, whereinthe nucleic acid is RNA.
 7. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim6, wherein the RNA is in vitro transcribed RNA (IVT RNA).
 8. Theantigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 2, wherein the lymphoid cell isselected from the group consisting of a lymphocyte, lymphoblast andplasma cell.
 9. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 2, whereinthe lymphoid cell is a T cell lacking endogenous expression of a T cellreceptor.
 10. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 4, wherein thenucleic acid is RNA.
 11. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 10,wherein the RNA is in vitro transcribed RNA (IVT RNA).
 12. Theantigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 4, wherein the lymphoid cell isselected from the group consisting of a lymphocyte, lymphoblast andplasma cell.
 13. The antigen-specific lymphoid cell of claim 4, whereinthe lymphoid cell is a T cell lacking endogenous expression of a T cellreceptor.